the Action of Poisons on the Animal System. 99 1 



eular contraction. The contents of the former were firm 

 and solid, and in every respect resembled the usual contents 

 of the stomach ; while those of the cardiac portion con- 

 sisted of the food of the animal much diluted by fluid; so 

 that the solution, which had been injected, appeared to be 

 confined to the cardiac portion of the stomach, and to be 

 prevented entering the pyloric portion by the muscular con- 

 traction in the centre. 



Jn the pyloric portion of the stomach the mucous mem- 

 brane had its natural appearance ; but in the cardiac por- 

 tion it was of a dark-gray colour, was readily torn and 

 peeled off; and in some parts its texture was completely 

 destroyed, so that it appeared like a pulp, on removing 

 which the muscular and peritoneal coais were exposed. _ 



The repetition of the experiment was attended with si- 

 milar results. The alteration of the texture of the internal 

 membrane appears to have been occasioned by its being 

 chemically acted on by the corrosive sublimate injected 

 into it. When the injection is made into the stomach of 

 a dead rabbit, precisely the same effects are produced, ex- 

 cept that, as the middle contraction is here wanting, the 

 appearances are not confined in the same degree to the car- 

 diac portion. 



Experiment Q. — A scruple of corrosive sublimate, dis* 

 solved in six drams of distilled water, was injected into the 

 stomach of a full-erown cat. For the first five minutes no 

 symptoms were produced. After this, the poison operated 

 twice as an emetic. The animal appeared restless, and 

 made expression of pain in the abdomen. He gradually 

 became insensible, and lay on one side motionless, with 

 the pupils of the eyes dilated. The respiration was labo- 

 rious, and the pulse could not be felt. Twenty-five nrii- 

 nutes after the poison was injected there was a convulsive 

 action of the voluntary muscles, and death ensued. On 

 opening the thorax immediately afterwards, the heart was 

 seen still contracting, but very feebly. 



The stomach was' found perfectly empty and contracted. 

 The mucous membrane was every where of a dark-gray 

 colour. It had lost its natural texture, and was readily 

 torn and separated from the muscular coat. The internal 

 membrane of the duodenum had a similar appearance, but 

 in a less degree, for nearly three inches from the pylorus. 

 In the situation of the pylorus, the effects of the poison 

 were less apparent than in any other part. 



The particular state of the inttrnal membrane of the sto- 

 mach, in this experiment as well as in the last, appears to 

 T '2 have 



