in reference to their Counter Poisons. 215 



A small portion of hydrocyanic acid was given to a healthy 

 young rabbit, which proved fatal in ten minutes. Soon after 

 its administration, the head declined on one side. Violent 

 spasms supervened, while the eye lost its lustre, and the ani- 

 mal died in dreadful convulsions. 



On dissection after death, the lobes of the lungs appeared 

 paler than usual. Coagulable lymph was found lining the 

 trachea as in cynanche tr., and the stomach was found in- 

 flamed near the pylorus. The brain was not examined. 



The muscular fibre was still excitable by voltaic agency, 

 but the excitability soon declined. 



A drop or two of hydrocyanic acid on the head of a frog 

 soon proved fatal. The colour promptly changed to an un- 

 wonted paleness. 



The sciatic nerves of the prepared limbs were moistened 

 with hydrocyanic acid, but no suspension of the voltaic excite- 

 ment supervened. It was accompanied by a tremulous move- 

 ment of the muscular fibre connected with the lines of the 

 nerves, and this spontaneous irritability seemed increased by 

 the application of an alcoholic solution of iodine. 



It is a singular fact, that not unfrequently the alcoholic solu- 

 tion of iodine dropped on the muscular fibre of a frog excited 

 phenomena similar to the action of the \oltaic apparatus. It 

 seemed also to renew excitability when the susceptibility had 

 declined, or was lost. 



When the symptoms were verging to a fatal issue, (in a frog,) 

 a drop or two of ammonia on the head effectually restored the 

 animal. 



A greater quantity of hydrocyanic acid was given to a young 

 rabbit than proved fatal in the case detailed. Ammonia was 

 occasionally applied to the mouth on a sponge. The animal 

 exhibited no unhealthy symptoms whatever. 



A considerable quantity of hydrocyanate of ammonia, with 

 excess of base, was administered to another rabbit, but with- 

 out any deleterious effect. 



Haifa drachm of hydrocyanic acid was given to a healthy 

 young rabbit. The effects were prompt. Respiration became 

 laborious and difficult, with a grating in the throat ; the eye 

 lost its brilliancy ; the head dropt, It raised a sharp cry, and 



