1863.] 553 



existence of nitrobenzole in the brain and stomach, and also of ani- 

 line. 



These effects were so remarkable, that I determined to examine 

 them still further by experiments on domestic animals. Dogs and 

 cats were submitted to the action of from thirty to sixty drops of 

 nitrobenzole which had been well washed with dilute sulphuric acid 

 and water to free it from every trace of aniline. The poison was 

 generally administered by pouring it into the mouths of the animals, 

 but sometimes it was given by means of an oesophagus-tube. When 

 the nitrobenzole had come into contact with the mouth, it always 

 caused discomfort, as if from unpleasant taste, and there was profuse 

 salivation. Its local action on the stomach, however, was never very 

 great, for there was rarely any vomiting until the setting in of nervou 

 symptoms, and this seemed to be due to sympathy rather than to 

 any local irritation of the stomach. Two classes of effects were 

 clearly observed: there was either the rapid coma which charac- 

 terized the operation of the poison on the human subject, or there 

 was a slow setting in of paralysis and coma, after a long period of 

 inaction. 



When the effects were speedily fatal, the animal was soon seized with 

 giddiness and an inability to walk. The weakness of the limbs first 

 appeared in the hind extremities, and was manifested by a difficulty 

 in standing ; but very soon it extended to the fore legs, and then to 

 the head and neck. There was complete loss of voluntary power. 

 The animal lay upon its side, with its head drawn a little back, and 

 with its limbs in constant motion, as if in the act of walking or run- 

 ning. The muscles of the back were occasionally fixed in spasm, 

 and every now and then the animal would have a sort of epileptic fit. 

 It would look distressed, would howl as if in pain, and would struggle 

 violently. After this it would seem exhausted, and would lie power- 

 less. The pupils were widely dilated, the action of the heart was 

 tumultuous and irregular, and the breathing was somewhat difficult. 

 For some time, however, the animal retained its consciousness, for it 

 would look up, and wag its tail when spoken to ; but suddenly, and 

 often at the close of a fit, it would become comatose the eye would 

 remain open, but the conjunctiva would be insensible to touch, and 

 the movements of the limbs would nearly cease ; the breathing would 

 be slow and somewhat stertorous, and the animal would appear as if 



