560 ANNUAL RECORD OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY. 



3. That symptoms are observed to follow the subcutaneous 

 injection of some drugs which are absent when they are ad- 

 ministered by other methods; and, on the other hand, certain 

 unpleasant symptoms which are apt to follow the introduc- 

 tion of the drugs by the mouth and rectum are not usually 

 experienced when such drugs are injected under the skin. 



4. That, as a general rule, to which, however, there are 

 many exceptions, neutral solutions of drugs, introduced sub- 

 cutaneously, are more rapidly absorbed and more intense in 

 their effects than when introduced by the rectum or mouth. 



5. That no difference has been observed in the effects of a 

 drug subcutaneously injected, whether it be introduced near 

 to or at a distance from the part affected. 



6. That the advantages to be derived from this method of 

 introducing drugs are rapidity of action, intensity of effect, 

 economy of material, certainty of action, facility of introduc- 

 tion in certain cases, and, with some drugs, avoidance of un- 

 pleasant symptoms. 



It is farther stated that " we may safely take as a broad 

 guide in practice the rule that the physiological activity of 

 nearly every substance which can thus be used is three if not 

 four times greater when it is given by the skin than when it 

 is swallowed." The proper hypodermic dose of strychnine 

 to begin with is said to be y^- grain of the sulphate. The 

 dose of atropine is also y^y grain at first. The dose of mor- 

 phine is -jV grain to -J grain. 



The circumstance that the action of medicines adminis- 

 tered hypodermically is very rapid, and often instantaneous, 

 renders the method invaluable in certain cases, as, for in- 

 stance, in cases of poisoning by opium, where the application 

 of atropine or belladonna is indicated. 14 A, July 9, 22. 



AMMONIA INJECTION IN CHLOROFORM POISONING. 



An application has lately been made of Dr. Halford's meth- 

 od of ammonia injection in another case of medical practice 

 than as a remedy for the bite of poisonous serpents. In this 

 instance a man had been suffering from delirium tremens, 

 brought on by a long course of drinking, and under its influ- 

 ence procured and swallowed an ounce of chloroform. In- 

 sensibility immediately supervened, and his eyelids could be 

 opened and the pupils touched without his showing the slight- 



