ZOOLOGY. 357 



it has been shown by Dr. Brown-Sequard that the injection of blood 

 into the limbs of the dead subject would restore muscular irritability 

 for a long time after dissolution, and even after rigidity : the author 

 had determined himself that three hours after death, in inferior ani- 

 mals, active muscular movements could be excited by the injection 

 of water heated to a temperature of 115 to 120. The injection of 

 fluids into the blood-vessels (arteries) might, therefore, be turned to 

 account ; but there were certain practical difficulties in the way ; for 

 if blood were to be used, there would be difficulty of obtaining it in 

 every case, and all other fluids which the author had tried produced 

 too destructive an effect on the blood remaining in the body to prove 

 of effective service. The author had tried the injection of various 

 agents, such as oxygen, peroxide of hydrogen, and certain of these 

 had promised at first useful results, but in the end they had failed 

 from physical reasons. 



The last method was described under the term " artificial circula- 

 tion." This method was invented by the author and named by him. 

 It consisted in an attempt to supplement the forcing power of the 

 heart for a short time by mechanical means, so as to enable him to 

 drive or draw a stream of blood over the pulmonic circuit. The 

 various contrivances and instruments employed in this endeavor were 

 now carefully particularized, the difficulties of the pursuit explained, 

 and the failures accounted for. In one experiment it was shown that, 

 when artificial circulation was established in an animal, the blood 

 traversed the lungs, made its way afterwards over the arterial chan- 

 nels, and reproduced muscular action, and even sensibility. As yet, 

 however, the operation for artificial circulation was too formidable 

 to be used in the human subject : it was, nevertheless, the point to 

 which attention should be specially directed. 



Dr. Richardson's conclusions were as follows: In cases of sus- 

 pended animation, if there is the merest attempt at breathing, place 

 the patient in a very warm atmosphere, but do not meddle further ; 

 if respiration has quite ceased, set it up artificially, using warm air 

 for inflation, and continue thus for at least fifteen minutes, for the 

 heart may not have ceased to beat, and if not, the operation will 

 often succeed. Avoid galvanism ; it is a deceptive and dangerous 

 remedy. 



The great desideratum is an improved method of producing artifi- 

 cial respiration, and so of supplementing the heart. 



POSITION OF THE RIFLE NECESSARY FOR ACCURATE FIRING. 



It is not absolutely necessary to hold the rifle at the shoulder, to 

 make good practice in firing. In support of this averment we will 

 draw attention to the fact that it is nearly certain that the resistance 

 given to the recoil of the rifle augments the deviations of the bullet ; 

 and we will quote a historical account suggesting incontestable proofs 

 in confirmation. The account occurs in the book of Father Hue, 

 apostolical missionary in China, Vol. i. c. 10. It is as follows : " The 

 fusiliers and archers then practised at the target. Their skill was 

 remarkable. The Chinese matchlocks have no butts, but terminate 

 like a pistol. When they fire they do not hold the matchlock at the 



