FiTCHETT. — Phijsiological Action of Tutin. 331 



desired to keep the animal quiet it was found that chloroform-inhalation 

 was sufficient for this purpose. The amount required seemed to be great, 

 but there was no available means of accurately gauging the quantity. It 

 was noted in some cases that the convulsions did not cease until the blood- 

 pressure began to fall, and this, taken in conjunction with the fact that 

 reflex excitability of the nervous system is raised, and that tutin therefore 

 increases the effect of any reflex cardiac inhibition which may be present, 

 points to the need of caution in its administration in cases of tutin 

 poisoning ; in fact, in one case of tutin poisoning in a rabbit, when 

 urethane and sodium-carbonate had had no effect in easing the symptoms 

 {Exp. 180), the administration of chloroform caused sudden cessation of the 

 breathing, which could not be restored, although the heart continued beating 

 and artificial respiration was carried out. 



Urethane, tried in one case (Exp. 180) just mentioned, was ineffectual. 

 A dose of 1*5 grams was given to a rabbit weighing 1'4 kilograms, and 

 4 mlgm. tutin was then administered. The ordinary tutin symptoms 

 developed, though a little later than is usual with so large a dose. 



Morphine. — | grain injected intravenously at (25) on tracing of Exp. 148 

 had no effect on the convulsions of a rabbit under paraldehyde. A severe 

 convulsion folloAved very shortly after the injection. 



Atropine. — J^ grain given in the same way at (23) on tracing of Exp. 148 

 had no effect. 



Hyoscine hydrohromate (Exp. 182) was found to be curiously inactive as 

 regards rabbits, y^^ grain in all was given to a rabbit weighing 1*5 kilo- 

 grams, but apparently it had no effect at all, so its influence on tutin 

 symptoms can be disregarded. 



Bleeding is frequently used in cases of tutin poisoning, and is said to do 

 good ; but it is very difficult to judge of the value of the evidence. In the 

 experiments on blood-pressure the animals were frequently bled to death 

 slowly, but no cessation of the tutin spasms was observed in any case. 



Restraint of the movements was tried in one experiment on a pigeon, but 

 without influencing the result in any way. 



Suspension of a rabbit under the influence of tutin by the ears or hind 

 legs had no effect on the spasms. 



Partial asphyxiation, by blocking the nostrils with a damp cloth — (26) 

 on tracing of Exp. 148 — had no effect on the convulsions ; but a stream of 

 CO 2 directed against the nostrils seemed to render the breathing more 

 regular (27). 



Alkalis (Lime, &c.). — Hughes's discovery of the action of lime on tutin, 

 although generally discredited at the time and since, may possibly be utilised 

 to some extent in a modified form. Alkalis in general have been shown 

 in the foregoing pages to have a very distinct action on the toxicity of tutin : 

 thus 0*2 per cent. NaOH in five minutes at 37° to 40° C. completely destroyed 

 the toxicity of a 0"5-per-cent. solution of tutin, and possibly the same result 

 would follow in a shorter time and with a weaker alkali. 



Since this is so, the treatment of stock poisoned by the tutu plant may 

 be greatly improved. It is impossible to fully wash out the stomach in herbi- 

 vora, so there is no way of getting rid of the leaves, &c., swallowed by the 

 animal ; but the introduction of a quantity of weak sodium-hydrate, or 

 lime-water, or a watery suspension of magnesia simply poured down the 

 throat, or, better, introduced by a stomach-tube, would lead to the neutrali- 

 sation of the tutin present in the stomach, and so give the animal a better 

 -chance of recovery. The accumulation of gas would at the same time be 



