176-5 - 
: Three days afterward the same dose was again given to the same dog, with 
very similar results. With this animal, the pulse was not much depressed, the 
Prostration was very great, and there was almost total loss of power of the volun- 
tary muscles. 
“During the months of July and August, 1857, I tried thirty-one experiments 
upon dogs with the alkaloid, made by myself from veratrum viride, and with the 
commercial veratria made by Merck, for the purpose of ascertaining if they were 
alike in their therapeutic action. 
“From these experiments | learned that the alkaloid from the viride was more 
sedative in its effects upon the pulse than the commercial veratria; that it was less 
irritant, seldom causing an increase in the number of pulsations, which the com- 
mercial veratria frequently did; that it produced vomiting and prostration in about 
an equal degree; that when a large dose was given, and prostration induced, there 
was most generally a dilatation of the pupils, but this effect was not produced by 
small doses; that purging was but seldom produced by either when given by the 
mouth, but nearly always when given by hypodermic injection; that large doses 
of either, amounting to two grains at a time, might be given, producing alarming 
prostration, and most painful and protracted vomiting, without causing death, if 
brandy, brandy and morphia, or tincture of cantharides was administered; and 
that in every instance the animal’s life might be saved by proper attention. 
“In those instances where death took place from these alkaloids, it was caused 
by repeating the dose, and not by a dose of two grains administered at one time. 
Upon post-mortem examination, the mucous membrane of the stomach was much 
inflamed, and in some instances the inflammation extended more or less through 
the whole intestinal tract, and was always seen at the rectum; the kidneys were 
in a state of congestion, and the heart filled with dark blood. 
“ Both alkaloids produced a sedative effect upon the pulse, but the commercial 
veratria did not to the same extent as that from the viride, and neither of them to 
the same extent as the pure resinoid, or the tincture made from veratrum viride. 
“ The prostration was more complete, alarming, and prolonged, and the vomit- 
ing was more painful and continued from the effects of the alkaloid than from the 
other preparations named.” 
Dr. Percy’s experiments upon frogs, meanwhile watching their circulation 
with the aid of a microscope, are very interesting. After the injection of the tinc- 
ture, the course of the blood through the capillaries “may be watched until the 
circulation is so regular and sluggish that the blood-globules may be counted as 
they course through the smaller vessels, and the difference between the white and _ 
red disks, and their position in the larger capillaries, may be easily discerned. 
Sometimes the circulation would almost entirely cease in the web, but would 
return again in ten or fifteen minutes if the frog upon the plate was placed in 
fresh running water. | 
“It was always interesting to watch the cessation of the circulation and its 
recommencement. se | 
“When large doses of the veratrum viride were given by the stomach, the 
cessation of the circulation never occurred suddenly. _ There would be intermis-_ : o : 
