Scientific Intelligence. — Medical Chemistry. 159 



Similar experiments were afterwards performed on dogs, some of 

 them young and others old androbust* The application was decisive 

 even after the animal had become insensible, and the remedy had 

 been delayed four and five minutes after the invasion of the symp- 

 toms, and to such an extent as to render deadi otherwise Inevitable. . 

 The chlorine was applied in solution, and die animal appeared to 

 breathe it with avidity. 

 ^ The affusion of cold water on the head and neck, appeared evi- 



dently in some cases to have a good effect, and where chlorine is not 

 at hand, it should be faithfully tried. 



M. Orfila recommends that in case of poisoning by this acid taken 

 into the stomach, a strong emetic be immediately administered — or if 

 there is reason to believe, from the length of time tliat die poison has 

 passed the pylorus, a purgaUve enema; and without delay place un- 

 der the patients nose a vessel containing one part of strong liquid 

 chlorine, and four parts of water; or, in defect of chlorine, one part 

 of aqua ammoniac, and twelve of water. The breathing of these 

 gases, and especially of the first, must be insisted on with slight inter- 

 vals. At the same time, water as cold as possible should be poured 

 on the head and neck and along the spine. A vessel filled with Ice 

 should be placed on the head, and kept there until the symptoms dis- 

 appear. Bleeding in the jugular or in the arm, or leeches behmd 

 the ears will be indicated by symptoms of cerebral congestion, al- 

 though it was found bleedings alone were insuificient to restore the 

 padent. These remedies may be simultaneously applied, and if in 

 due season, a cure may be almost certainly effected. It may not be 

 amiss, also, to rub die temples with tincture of cantharides and am- 

 monia, and to apply sinapisms to the feet. The patient should 



have also assua2:Ina; drinks. 



It may not be useless to remark that the foregoing method of treat- 

 ment, may probably be employed with advantage in cases of poison- 

 ing from other venomous substances. This tlie autlior proposes to 

 investigate.— /:/m. 



Efficacy of Chlorides.— Extract of a letter from M 



The chlo- 



fls, member of 



rides tried upon forty seven persons affected witli the plague, did 

 neither good nor harm j but these preparations completely preserved 

 the six members of the commission. The autopsies were by tliis 

 means performed without accident. Clothes • taken from persons 

 who had died of the plague the preceding day, were purified by the 



