and its Alkaloid Conia. 417 
thrice their weight of water, and injected between the skin and muscles of the back 
of a strong adult rabbit. In three minutes the lower joints of the hind-legs were 
stiff, and this symptom was speedily followed by weakness of the hind-legs. In five 
minutes all the legs were extremely feeble, and in one minute more they were spread 
out laterally from the body, and affected with occasional convulsive twitches, which 
were renewed by touching the body. The general paralytic state was so great, that 
the animal was unable to alter its attitude, in whatever position it might be placed. 
In seven minutes the respiration was almost entirely diaphragmatic, and the para- 
lysis of the trunk and limbs complete. The eyelids continued, however, to wink 
when the finger was brought near them, and the head was very feebly withdrawn 
when the hind-legs were pricked. In nine minutes the respiration ceased. In six- 
teen minutes the heart continued to pulsate vigorously. 
To these experiments it may be added, that a flea touched 
with conia instantly dropped motionless and dead, and that a fly 
touched in like manner rose in flight, but suddenly dropped 
down, and shewed no farther sign of life. In a strong young 
puppy, where two drops were introduced into the eye, extreme un- 
easiness was produced from irritation, the tears were discharged 
profusely, and the sclerotic and conjunctiva quickly became vas- 
cular and considerably swelled ; but, except staggering for an hour, 
apparently from weakness, no other marked effect resulted. 
