ACTION OF POISONS ON THE ANIMAL SYSTEM. U 



mation of the intestines. The length of time which elapses 

 from the application of the poison to the death of the animal 

 varies. In some instances it is not more than three quarters 

 of an hour ^ but in others it is two or three hours, or even 

 longer. 



When a solution of emetic tartar was injected into the sto- Acts in the 

 mach of a rabbit, the same symptoms took place as when it jjJ ttr4Ml ij„ 

 was applied to a wound. 



VI. On the Effects of the Corrosive Sublimate. 

 When this poison is taken internally in very small and re- Effects of rau. 



peated doses, it is absorbed into the circulation, and produces nate of m&r * 



cu r v . 

 on the system those peculiar effects, which are produced by 



other preparations of mercury. If it passes into the circulation 

 in larger quantity, it excites inflammation of some part of the 

 alimentary canal, the termination of which may vary accord- 

 ingly as it exists in a greater or less degree. When taken in 

 a larger quantity still, it occasions death in a very short space 

 of time. I had found, that, if applied to a wounded surface, it 

 produced a slough of the part to which it was applied, without 

 occasioning any affection of the general system. This led me Thev depend 

 to conclude, that the effects of it, taken internally, and in a on its locai 

 large quantity, depended on its local action on the stomach, ac lou " 

 and were not connected with the absorption of it into the cir- 

 culation. The following experiments appear to confirm this 

 opinion. 



Experiment 8. Six grains of corrosive sublimate, dissolved Exp 8. Ad- 



in six drams of distilled water, were injected into the stomach ministered m * 



J ternallytojt 



of a rabbit, by means of an elastic gum tube. No immediate rabbit. 



symptoms followed the injection; the animal made no ex- 

 pression of pain ; but in three minutes he became insensible; 

 was convulsed ; and in four minutes and a half from the time 

 of the injection being made, he died. Tremulous contrac- 

 tions of the voluntary muscles continued for some time 

 afterward. On opening the thorax, the heart was found to 

 have, entirely ceased acting, and the blood in the cavities of 

 the left side was of a scarlet colour. The stomach was much 

 distended. The pyloric and cardiac portions were separated 

 from each other by a strong muscular contraction. The con- 

 tents of the former were firm and solid, and in every respect 



resembled 



