378 PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OP 



he was unable to run, and on attempting to walk he rolled over 

 on the side. Without any visible change or movement, the little 

 animal now passed into a state of complete paralysis, in which he 

 remained until 8.15 P. M. two hours and three-quarters after the 

 dose was given. During the whole of this time he lay motionless 

 in the position in which he was placed, with his eyes nearly closed, 

 perfectly flaccid, and exhibiting no indication of sensibility when 

 dangled by the tail, or an ear, or a toe. As he lay upon the side 

 the only indications of life throughout this period were the fol- 

 lowing : distinct and regular respiratory movements of the sides 

 of the chest and abdomen, decreasing during the two hours from 

 160 to 135, and interrupted by one or two full swelling inspira- 

 tions during the minute. On gently passing the point of the 

 pencil along the half-closed margins of the e3 r elids, a sluggish 

 contraction, so faint as to be scarcely perceptible, occurred ; but 

 on separating the lids and touching the cornea no contractile 

 action of m. orbicularis was observable. On rolling the rump 

 portion of the tail gently between the thumb and finger a reflex 

 movement, consisting of a sudden jerk, of all four legs was simul- 

 taneously excited ; the vibrissa? were at the same time moment- 

 arily agitated. At 8.15 P. M.,the effects of the hemlock began to 

 subside, as indicated by a little increase in the depth of the respi- 

 rations, which were 135, and on irritating the tail as above men- 

 tioned, the head, bod}*, and legs were , simultaneously jerked 

 backwards, the general movement being such as to throw the 

 body backwards nearly an inch. The eyes were at the same time 

 opened and the vibrissa? strongly worked. Shortly afterwards 

 there was a slight movement in the fore paws, apparently of a 

 voluntary nature the first performed since the paralysis came on. 

 Hut there was no further movement until 9 P. M., when on dis- 

 turbing him as he lay upon his side, he struggled forwards a little, 

 but did not succeed in getting upon his legs. This, however, was 

 accomplished when I again disturbed him at 9.50 P. M., and he 

 then drew himself together, opened his eyes, and began to look 

 about him and sniff for food. Shortly afterwards he crawled a 

 few paces, and meeting with a piece of bread and butter he licked 

 oil' the butter, and then sat down on his haunches and cleaned 

 his fore paws. At 11 P. M., he was in his usual condition (r. 140). 

 The next day the little animal was as lively and as active as ever 

 (r. 160), and has continued so up to the present day, August 28." 



