182 Dr. Mitchell on the Phy. 'biological Actions of Spartine and Scopanne. 



and rigidity instantly and wholly disappeared, and the body of the animal 

 became so flaccid as to appear unnatural by comparison with its previous 

 condition. Beyond a slight and occasional pulsation of the heart, no 

 evidence of life, however, still existed. I at once began artificial respira- 

 tion, and after persevering for three minutes, a jerking and irregular 

 respiratory movement was restored, which gradually became natural, and 

 was followed by evidences of returning consciousness, until at length the 

 animal was able to walk about. It still, however, appeared to be uneasy, 

 and refused to eat. In less than ten minutes slight convulsions returned, 

 and these went on increasing in severity, till they attained a parallel 

 with those which first occurred. I again exhibited three drops of spar- 

 tine, and again the spasm disappeared. But on this occasion I failed in 

 establishing the respiration, and the animal became cold and died, with- 

 out the occurrence of convulsions, or even twitchings. 



Obs. II. To a young healthy rabbit I gave strychnine in doses of ^l^J 

 of a grain, repeated at intervals of half-an-hour. Five doses had been 

 taken without any unpleasant effect. Shortly after the fifth, however, 

 most violent and intense tetanic spasms or convulsions were suddenly 

 induced. I instantly gave it three di'ops of the base, and as immediately 

 all spasm vanished. The animal, however, never recovered, death 

 taking place from the action of the spartine. 



Obs. III. I gave less than one thirtieth of a grain of strychnine to a 

 young rabbit, and no symptom of uneasiness occurred till nearly three 

 hours after the exhibition of the drug. At this period slight and occa- 

 sional twitchings were observed in the limbs, which gradually embraced 

 the muscular system generally, and at length became violent and lasting 

 spasms. I then gave very small doses of the spartine, dissolved in weak 

 acetic acid, at short intervals of about two or three minutes. I continued 

 this till I had given in all a couple of drops of the base, and as I went on 

 I found the intensity of the spasm giving way, and the intermissions 

 lengthening, until nothing remained but occasional twitchings, which, 

 in their turn, as I persevered with the spartine, also^ disappeared, and the 

 animal fell asleep. It remained in this condition for half-an-hour and 

 upwards, when suddenly the breathing became laboured, and death, from 

 asphyxia, ensued in a few minutes. There were no convulsions. 



Obs. IV. Scarcely one fiftieth of a grain of strychnine was given to 

 a young rabbit, but this was sufl&cient to induce, after a lapse of six 

 hours, a state of restlesness, with slight and occasional startings of the 

 muscles of the limbs and abdomen. A small quantity of the spartine, 

 neutralised in weak acetic acid, was then given slowly and cautiously 

 to the animal. Drowsiness followed, and the intervals of repose between 

 the twitches were lengthened, but there was no sudden cessation of the 

 spasmodic action. The animal perfectly recovered. Had no spartine 

 been given in this case, I do not think the issue would have been fatal, 

 but the duration and intensity of the spasms would probably have been 

 greater. 



