1817.] On the Poison Tree of Java. 269 
drowsy: on the 14th minute he could with difficulty support himself 
erect, and indicated symptoms of pain; he shewed some disposi- 
tion to vomit, and extended his jaws. In 28 minutes he extended 
his hind legs spasmodic. In 31 minutes he had violent spasms over 
his whole frame. In 37 minutes he stood breathing hastily, his 
abdomen appeared uneasy. In 39 minutes he had spasmodic 
extensions of his extremities, which lasted half a minute, when he 
became quiet; but being faint, supported himself against a wall. 
In 46 minutes he started up convulsed. In 48 minutes he appeared 
oppressed in the head and drowsy. In 54 minutes he started up 
suddenly. In 60 minutes he appeared oppressed and drowsy. In 
61 minutes he fell backwards in violent convulsions, his extremities 
strongly contracted by spasms, after which he became calm. On 
the 63d minute, being roused and attempting to walk, he fell 
backwards with violent spasms and convulsions. In 65 minutes,. 
having raised himself with difficulty, he stood with his extremities ~ 
far extended, and his muscles in a state of spasmodic contraction. 
In 67 minutes he fell down head-foremost, violently convulsed, his 
breathing became interrupted, and on the 69th minute he died. 
Dissection.—On opening the abdomen several ounces of a clear 
serous fluid, mixed with streaks of newly coagulated blood, were 
found effused in the cavity: the vessels of the external coats of the 
stomach of the intestines and mesentery were in the highest possible 
degree inflamed, and distended beyond their natural size, having 
evidently been acted on by the most violent force ; the stomach 
being opened was found empty, its internal coat was corrugated 
and covered with frothy mucus in which were found the remains of 
the poison, a dark yellow fluid with some grains of the rice with 
which it was conveyed. In the thorax the lungs were still florid, 
the vene cave much distended, the adrta nearly empty; being 
punctured the blood flowed out of a dark hue. 
On exposing to view the brain, the dura mater was nearly 
natural, only the larger vessels somewhat more distended than 
usual; the vessels of the brain itself indicated a slight degree of 
inflammation. 
Remarks on the Experiments.—I have selected from a large 
number of experiments, those only which are particularly demon- 
strative of the effects of the antshar and of the tshettik when intro- 
duced into the circulation. The poison was always applied by a_ 
pointed dart or arrow made of bamboo. ‘The extremity to which 
the poison adhered was completely spear-shaped, about an inch 
long, and a line and a half broad near the middle of its length. 
When I contemplated an experiment, the dart was dipped into 
the fluid poison, which I preserve in closed vessels. It is necessary 
to give it some time to become dry and fixed upon the dart. I 
found by repeated trials the poison most active after having adhered 
24 hours to the weapon ; if applied in a fluid state if does not enter 
the wound ina suflicient quantity to produce its effects, but in the 
