76 On the Chemical Effects of Cliloral Hydrate, 



Subsequently I offered some observations on the action of snake 

 poison on the blood, i. e. that it could be compared to that brought 

 about by prussic acid ; that this agent, while it attacks the iron in 

 the blood, yet sets up a further action — that of causing the newly- 

 formed, red corpuscles to retrograde, as it were, to the condition of 

 the white.* 



Here are three important chemical agents, which have been 

 applied to the blood in order to elicit information regarding either 

 its structure or its chemical character, namely : — 



Magenta ; which was first taken in hand, and which attacks the 

 nuclei of the white corpuscles and colours them ; also the granular 

 matter exuded from the red. 



Aminonio-8ul])hate of Copper ; which prevents the egress of the 

 solid portion of the red corpuscles ; while at the same time magenta 

 can pass in and colour them effectually. 



Prussic Acid ; which lays hold of the iron in the blood, with- 

 drawing it from some organic state of combination, giving rise also 

 to the formation of corpora amylacea, or starchy bodies, by some 

 further change effected on the blood constituents. 



I feel it is necessary thus to enter upon a resume of what has 

 been done, in order that what follows may be rendered more clear, 

 and that the minds of those to whom I address myself may be 

 satisfied that all the following observations and experiments have 

 proceeded gradatim, and owe their origin, and are connected, with 

 my former labours in this field of observation. 



In bringing forward the present communication, I feel more and 

 more satisfied of the importance of that mode of investigation which 

 I have employed, that it is one which opens another avenue to the 

 study of physiology, as well as leading us to the ultimate or chemical 

 action of agents on the animal economy. 



Experience and observation, based on the separate and combined 

 action of the above-mentioned agents, have satisfied me that some 

 reliable chemical effects may be traced out regarding other agents, 

 whose action on this portion of the animal economy is as yet 

 unknown. 



The difficulty hitherto has been to find an agent the effects of 

 which either exceed or distinctly differ from those of any substances 

 hitherto recognized ; while, at the same time, the nature and pro- 

 bable action of the new agent should be such as we can trace out 

 without encountering serious difficulty as to its interpretation. 



I now proceed to the demonstration of some chemical changes 

 in the blood produced by means of different agents, the effects of 

 which have been hitherto entirely unknown, and which will prove 

 suggestive to the mind of the medical practitioner as soon as he 

 shall have presented to him a further series of experiments carried 

 * 'Australian Medical Journal,' vol. xii., 1867. 



