112 Messrs. T. L. Brunton and J. Fayrer on the [Jan. 22, 



Time. Left. Eight. 



1.19 . . . . One drop of slightly diluted, but still concen- 



trated solution of cobra-poison injected under 

 the skin of the back. 



2.23 10 14 The foot was twitched up in the acid at these 



times, but the leg was not drawn up. 



3.25 150 150 No reflex action. Strong acetic acid causes 

 none. Thorax opened. Heart quite still. 



These experiments show that the time required for the performance of 

 a reflex act went on increasing, or, in other words, the excitability of the 

 cord went on diminishing, after the injection of the poison ; and all com- 

 munication with the inhibitory centres having been previously cut off by 

 dividing the medulla, this effect could only be due to the action of the 

 poison on the cord. 



Experiment LYI. 



At 1.16. Half a drop of cobra-poison was injected into the peritoneal 

 cavity of a guineapig. 



1.17. The animal is restless and twitching ; runs about. 



1.18. Micturates. 



1.24. It is getting weak and sluggish. The hind quarters have assumed 

 a crouching posture. It moves when roused. 



1.26. It looks drowsy, is disinclined to move, and is jerking. The hind 

 legs are almost paralyzed. When they are retracted it draws them up 

 with difficulty. 



1.27. Has defecated. Is convulsed generally, but the convulsions are 

 more marked in the hind quarters. 



1.32. Convulsions continue. They are not increased or excited by ex- 

 ternal stimuli. Cornea insensible. 



1.34. Mouth only twitches. Heart acting vigorously. 



1.35. The animal is quite dead. 



1.36. The spinal cord irritated by an induced current through electrodes 

 inserted in the vertebral column. The irritability of the cord seems per- 

 fect. (It was judged of by the contractions of the hind limbs.) 



1.40. The heart continues to beat. Thorax laid open. The vagi iso- 

 lated, and one of them irritated. The cardiac action seems to be increased 

 by the irritation of the vagus. The auricles contract very rapidly, the 

 ventricles not so rapidly. The cord is still irritable. 



1.50. The irritability of the spinal cord as affecting the lower extre- 

 mities is almost gone ; as affecting the upper limbs it is still retained. 

 Heart still contracts vigorously. 



1.54. The lower limbs are no longer affected by electricity applied to 

 the spinal cord. The upper limbs are affected. 



1.56. The spinal cord is still slightly irritable. The heart is acting 

 freely. 



2. Cord still slightly irritable. Heart acts briskly. 



