82 Cliemical Effects of Giloral Hydrate, d'c, on the Blood. 



chloral applied to the blood out of the body ; but when the vapour 

 of chloroform, or the hydrate of chloral is applied, then the red 

 particles make their appearance. 



Here is another remarkable occurrence which receives its solution 

 from the forementioned experiments. Some blood was accidentally 

 examined after wne (Eeisling) had been taken ; this was with the 

 view of exhibiting the action of prussic acid on iron in the blood ; 

 but it was noticed httle or no reaction could be found after its 

 application ; but a good many red-coloured globules and particles 

 were seen, just as if chloral had been taken. In consequence of 

 this, a small drop of the wine was added to a httle blood fresh 

 drawn ; the changes seen under the microscope were most remark- 

 able. Abundance of globules of a dark-red or brown colour made 

 their appearance, as also red amorphous masses or particles. Gas 

 also was given off in the neighbourhood of the globules. Some of 

 these bubbles contained a bluish fluid ; the nuclei of the white 

 corpuscles were bluish. 



The experience I have already gained in carrying out these 

 experiments leads me to see that the condition of the blood recog- 

 nizably varies from day to day, from the effects of food, &c. ; for 

 the varying degrees of success which have attended a number of 

 experiments performed with the same chemical agent, on the same 

 individual, point to the great probability of the variable condition of 

 the blood, when that individual has been the subject of variety in 

 diet, or degrees of fatigue of mind or body. 



Another consideration which presents itseff to my mind is, that 

 just as we now test the condition of the urine in order to ascertain 

 what is being ehminated from the body of a patient, so will the 

 physician find it useful occasionally to test, by means of reagents, 

 the condition of the blood of his patient, in order to verify the 

 character of some obscure symptoms. ' Even at this period of my 

 experience, I have reason to believe it is possible by means of agents 

 previously administered, to prolong the hypnotic action of chloral, 

 or to prevent or modify it in a great degree. 



Thus, I believe, I have at least been able to give demonstration 

 to the theory of Liebreich, who, by his chemical knowledge, has 

 enabled the medical practitioner to employ a remarkable agent, one 

 which promises to be a sister companion to chloroform in alleviating 

 the nis to which flesh is heir. I hope I may be fortunate enough 

 to arouse the attention of my professional brethren to the investiga- 

 tion of the chemical action of remedies on the blood, and thereby, 

 perhaps, lead on to a more rational and satisfactory mode of treating 

 some diseases, which in time to come, I believe, will be attacked 

 directly through the blood itself. — Read before the Medical Society 

 of Victoria. 



