Natural History. 463' 



stance in this case opposed to poisoning was, that the current being 

 only from the arteries to the vein opened, the poison introduced 

 was forced with the blood out of the system. 



As the production of plethora by the infusion of water is a serious 

 inconvenience, M. Verni^re was induced to ascertain whether a 

 local plethora in the poisoned member would not be sufficient, an 

 effect readily produced by a moderate ligature, and thinks that it is. 

 After applying the ligature, all that is required is to open the prin- 

 cipal veins in the expanded part of the system, and allow the 

 poisoned blood to flow out. 



In an experiment of this kind, three grains of the extract of 

 nux vomica were put over a wound in the right cheek of a small 

 dog. The experimenter immediately compressed the two jugular 

 veins with his thumbs for six minutes, after which that on the 

 poisoned side was widely opened by a stroke of the lancet ; the 

 blood flowed freely, after which the animal, put upon its feet, expe- 

 rienced only a little weakness. 



In another experiment, three grains of the extract were put under 

 the skin, covering the tarsal surface of the right fore- foot of a young 

 dog. A strong ligature was applied at the same time, and after 

 five minutes, the poison was removed by repeated washing : the 

 wound being cleaned, the ligature was removed, and the animal 

 put upon its feet ; it walked quietly at first, but was soon seized 

 with violent convulsions, upon which an abundant bleeding of the 

 jugular vein was effected, and in half a minute the convulsions 

 ceased. The animal left at liberty walked quietly as before, with 

 occasional soft inspirations, which, however, soon ceased. M. 

 Verniere thinks, that in this experiment the ligature had been too 

 tight, compressing the artery as well as the vein, and so preventing 

 the plethora from taking place, which should have prevented the 

 absorption. Hence, these two important conclusions — 1st. The hga- 

 ture should not be too tight — 2d. Even when the poison has pene- 

 trated considerably into the system, large and abundant general 

 bleedings may reach it, and cause its expulsion. It is easy to 

 conceive, indeed, that whilst the poisoned blood is contained 

 only in the large vessels, if these be opened, it will flow out rather 

 than pass into the small vessels, which afford a greater resistance 

 to its passage than the opening made by the lancet. — Le Globe, 

 August 13. 



19. Hydrophobia in Foxes as observed near Ulm. — The following 

 is the substance of remarks on this subject by the Duke Henry of 

 Wurtemberg. It is well known that foxes become mad occasionally, 

 and there have also been examples of dogs which, having been 

 bitten by mad foxes, have not caught the disease. In these cases 

 anatomical investigation has shown that the stomachs of the foxes 

 were filled with wood, earth, stones, leaves, hair, and other sub- 

 stances improper for nourishment. On the contrary, when the 

 madness has been communicated, the stomach and intestines have 



