sii 
1817.) On the Poison Tree of Java. 273 
the viscera in the vicinity of the source of circulation, especially 
the lungs, were uniformly filled ina preternatural degree with 
blood, which in this viscus and in the adrta still retained a florid 
colour and was completely oxygenated. On puncturing these 
vessels it bounded out with the elasticity and spring of life. The 
vessels of the liver, of the stomach, and intestines, and of the 
viseera of the abdomen in general, were also more than naturally 
distended, but not in the same degree as those of the breast. Ia 
the cavity of the abdomen a small quantity of serum was sometimes 
effused. 
The stomach was always distended with air, and in those in- 
stances in which the action of the poison was gradual, and in 
which vomiting supervened in the course of the symptoms, its 
internal coat was covered with froth, 
The brain indicated less of the action of the poison than the 
viscera of the thorax and abdomen. In some instances it was per- 
fectly natural, in others marks of a small degree of, inflammation 
were discovered. 
An undulatory motion of the skin and of the divided muscles 
was very evident in some of the dissected animals, 
The appearances observed in the animals destroyed by the 
tshettik were very different. In a number of dissections the viscera 
of the thorax and abdomen were found nearly in a natural state, 
and the large vessels of the thorax exhibited that condition in 
which they are usually found after death from other poisons. 
But the brain and the dura mater shewed marks of a most 
violent and excessive affection. In some instances the inflainma- 
tion and redness of the dura mater was so strong, that on first 
inspection I supposed it to be the consequence of a blow previously 
received, until J was taught by repeated examinations that this is a 
universal appearance after death from tshettik. ; 
I am not at present at leisure, nor am I properly prepared, to 
investigate fully the operation of the two poisons described on the 
animal system, or to elucidate their effects by a comparison with 
other poisons. The series of experiments I have proposed to 
myself, and which are necessary for the purpose, is by no means 
finished, nor does my situation at present afford me those oppor- 
tunities of scientific consultation, which such an investigation 
requires ; it remains for a futute period also, to determine, rela- 
tively, the force of these poisons with that of the most venomous 
+k ara the tshettik exceeds, perhaps, in violence, any poison 
hitherto known. It shows its effects peculiarly, and almost exclu- 
nrelts on the brain and nervous system. 
The action of the antshar is directed chiefly to the vascular 
system. ‘The volume of the blood is accumulated in a preter- 
natural degree in the large vessels of the thorax. 
The circulation appears to be abstracted from the extremities 
and thrown upon the viscera near its source. ‘The lungs in parti- 
cular are stimulated to excessive exertions. The balance of cir- 
Vor, IX. N° IV, 8 
