88 ON THE NATURE AND ACTION OF THE 



deep breaths at first, its vermicular character about the middle 

 of the experiment, and its regulaiity towards the end. Reflex 

 action seemed entirely abolished, and sensation very much 

 impaired ; the mental faculties seemed sluggish ; but voluntary 

 power was retained, and the movements of the animal were not 

 indefinite but distinctly purposive. 



The motor nerves and muscles were evidently not paralysed ; 

 but the grey matter of the cord seemed to have lost its power 

 of inducing refiex actions or of conveying painful impressions. 

 Tactile impressions, such as laying the animal on its belly, still 

 caused reaction. The movements thus induced, as well as those 

 caused by irritating the ears, etc., may all be reasonably ascribed 

 to the action of the brain. 



Closure of the eyelids would seem to be a purely reflex act, 

 in which the brain is altogether unconcerned. 



Experiment LXI. 



October 29th, 1872. — To ascertain if a mixture of strychnia 

 and wooiara produced the same effect as cobra-poison, a guinea- 

 pig weighing 1 lb. was experimented upon. 



2.36.30. 1 c.c. of a solution of woorara (1 in 1000) was 

 injected under the skin of the side. 



2.54. As the first dose seemed to produce little effect, another 

 cubic centimetre was injected in the same way as bei'ore, 



2.50. A drop or two of Liquor Stryclmice (4 grains to 1 fluid 

 ounce) was injected into the side. 



2.57. Twitchings motions of the body begin. (They were 

 not exactly like those produced by cobra-poison.) 



2.58. The animal has fallen over on its side and is paralysed, 

 but the twitching continues. 



3.2. The animal is dead. No convulsions. On opening the 

 animal the heart was found contracting vigorously. 



Electrodes were inserted in the spinal column and the cord 

 irritated by an induced current. The limbs contracted when 

 irritation was applied to the cord. The sciatic nerve was 

 exposed and irritated by an induced current. The muscles of 

 the limb contracted. 



3.9. Heart still contracts feebly. The lungs are congested. 



