Natural History, fyc. 189 



In the third case, all the effects of the prussic acid were pro- 

 duced before the chlorine was applied ; the respiration had ceased 

 for twenty-five seconds, and the animal was rapidly perishing ; but 

 the chlorine not only recalled it to life, but ultimately restored it to 

 full vigour : the full effect only occurred, however, after some hours. 

 Ten days after it was quite well, and the paralysis of the abdominal 

 parts, which occurred in all, had, in this case, entirely disappeared. 



After this, MM. Persoz and Nonat sought to ascertain whether 

 the prussic acid, being absorbed into the vessels and tissues, the 

 chlorine would follow and decompose it. Two dogs of equal 

 strength were taken, the crural veins laid bare, and separated from 

 the neighbouring parts, and especially the accompanying nervous 

 fibres; then a drop of prussic acid was put upon each vessel. The 

 effects were instantaneous ; a few drops of chlorine (solution) were 

 let fall on to one of the crural veins the other animal was left alone. 

 The first was as immediately recovered as it was injured ; the second 

 died directly. The first felt no inconvenience after some hours, 

 except from the wound. Endeavours were then made to kill him, 

 by putting prussic acid upon the eye and upon the crural vein of 

 the opposite side ; but the animal only felt temporary inconvenience 

 and a few convulsive movements, and was very quickly at ease. 

 Hence it appears that the chlorine administered beforehand is taken 

 into the circulation, and is then an effectual remedy against prussic 

 acid. 



Trials made with the chlorids of lime and soda, in place of chlo- 

 rine, shewed that they possessed no corresponding powers, being 

 quite inert as antagonists to the hydro-cyanic acid *. 



7. ON THE CURE OP ANIMAL POISONS, AND PROBABLY HYDRO- 

 PHOBIA, BY THE LOCAL APPLICATION OF COMMON SALT. 



(Rev. J. Fischer.) 



The Rev. J. G. Fischer was formerly a missionary in South 

 America, and is anxious to call the attention of the public to the 

 probable utility of common salt, as a remedy in cases of hydropho- 

 bia, if at least the opinion be correct, that what will cure the bites 

 of venomous serpents will be efficacious in the former class of 

 cases. He says, * I actually and effectually cured all kinds of very 

 painful and dangerous serpents' bites, after they had been inflicted 

 for many hours; for immediately after I had applied my remedy the 

 pain subsided, and the patient calmed, which remedy was nothing else 

 than common table salt; and I kept it on the place or wound, moist- 

 ened with water, till all was healed, within several days, without ever 

 any bad effect occurring afterwards. I, for my part, never had an 

 opportunity to meet with a mad dog, or any person who was bitten 

 by a mad dog ; I cannot, therefore, speak from experience, as to 



* Ann, do Ckimie., xlui., 324. 



