FiTCHETT. — Physiological Action of Tutin. 329 



(Exp. 172.) Twelve mlgm. per kilo proved fatal to a frog. It displayed 

 tlie symptoms seen in tutin poisoning. The time of death could not be 

 noted, so no strict comparison can be made with tutin. The minimum lethal 

 ■dose of tutin in frogs is between 10 and 11 mlgm. 



On the whole, the impression left on one's mind is that there is com- 

 paratively little difference in the toxic power of the two substances ; but 

 the mental effects seemed more marked in the case of the cat poisoned by 

 tutin. 



18. Action of Remedies. 



Although not strictly within the scope of the title of this paper, notes 

 of some experiments made to show the influence of remedial measures will 

 be included here. These experiments were made from time to time while 

 the physiological action of tutin was being examined, and before the experi- 

 ments on the action of alkalis on tutin had been undertaken. They are 

 necessarily, therefore, incomplete ; but some points have been investigated 

 -and some observations made which it is hoped may prove of value in the 

 treatment of cases of poisoning. 



In tutu poisoning various remedies have been suggested from time to 

 time, and the rationale of some of these is difficult to understand. With 

 shepherds, bleeding is a favourite method of treatment. It is usually done 

 by slashing the ears or tail, or by incising the roof of the mouth. It is said 

 to be of special advantage in young sheep, but in older sheep it is regarded 

 by some as being dangerous, and as tending rather to hasten the end than 

 to promote recovery. Carbonate of ammonia is also used, a lump about 

 the size of a walnut being dissolved in water and poured down the animal's 

 throat. 



In 1870 Hughes advocated the use of lime as an antidote. He was led 

 to do this from the observation he had made that lime destroyed the activity 

 of the poison. Cases in human beings have been treated with lime, and, it 

 is said, successfully. 



The Maoris depended largely upon partial asphyxiation as a means of 

 treatment. This was effected either by holding the patient under water 

 till he was nearly drowned, and repeating the immersion as soon as he 

 showed signs of returning life, or by suspending him head downwards over 

 the smoke of a fire. Another method (31) was to bury the patient in the 

 ground up to the neck, apparently with the object of restraining the con- 

 vulsive movements. 



Professor Marshall (32), in a report made to the Agricultural Depart- 

 ment of the New Zealand Government, recommends bleeding and the 

 intravenous injection of chloral-hydrate. In connection with the use of 

 chloral-hydrate it may be noted that Crichton Brown (34) states that he was 

 able, by the administration of chloral-hydrate, to prevent death in a rabbit 

 which had received five times the minimum lethal dose of picrotoxin. 



It will be noticed that in a rabbit (Exp. 17-1) which received a lethal 

 dose (3 mlgm. per kilo hypodermically) death was prevented by 0-6 gram 

 of chloral-hydrate. It should be stated that the chloral was given first 

 by the rectum, and the tutin administered hypodermically as soon as the 

 anaesthetic effect of the chloral was established, so that every chance was 

 given to the action of the chloral. In two rabbits where 4 mlgm. of tutin 

 per kilo was given (Exps. 173, 175) death occurred. The one received 

 1 gram of chloral per rectum in one dose, and the tutin hypodermically 

 immediately afterwards ; it died in six hours, in tutin convulsions. The 



