EFFECTS OF VEGETABLE POISONS. 37 



III. 



Experiments and Observations on the different 

 Modes in which Death is produced by certain 

 Vegetable Poisons. 



[From the Philosophical Transactions for 1811, Part I.] 



I. THE following experiments were instituted 

 with a view to ascertain, in what manner certain 

 substances act on the animal system, so as to 

 occasion death, independently of mechanical in- 

 jury. I was led to the inquiry, from the subject 

 of it appearing to be of considerable interest and 

 importance, and from a hope, that, in the present 

 improved state of physiological knowledge, we 

 might be enabled to arrive at some more satis- 

 factory conclusions than had been deduced from 

 any former observations. 



The substances which act as poisons when 

 applied to the animal body are very numerous. 

 In the experiments which I have hitherto made, 

 I have employed vegetable poisons only. Of 

 these I have selected such as are very active and 

 certain in producing their effects, believing that, 

 on this account, the exact nature of those effects 

 would be more readily ascertained. The prin- 

 cipal objects which I have kept in view have been 

 to determine, on which of the vital organs the 



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