VEGETABLE POISONS. 41 



communicating to this learned Society, that the 

 brain is not directly necessary to the action 

 of the heart, and that, when the functions of 

 the brain are destroyed, the heart continues to 

 contract for some time afterwards, and then 

 ceases only in consequence of the suspension of 

 respiration, which is under the influence of the 

 brain. 



It would appear, from the experiments which 

 I have just detailed, that the symptoms produced 

 by a large quantity of spirits taken into the 

 stomach, arise entirely from disturbance of the 

 functions of the brain. The complete insensi- 

 bility to external impressions ; the dilatation of 

 the pupils of the eyes ; and the loss of motion, 

 indicate that the functions of this organ are sus- 

 pended ; respiration, which is under its influence, 

 is ill performed, and at last altogether ceases; 

 while the heart, to the action of which the brain 

 is not directly necessary, continues to contract, 

 circulating dark- coloured blood for some time 

 afterwards. 



There is a striking analogy between the symp- 

 toms arising from spirits taken internally, and 

 those produced by injuries of the brain. 



Concussion of the brain, which may be con- 

 sidered as the slightest degree of inj ury, occasions 

 a state of mind resembling intoxication, and the 

 resemblance in some instances is so complete, 

 that the most accurate observer cannot form a 

 diagnosis, except from the history of the case. 

 Pressure on the brain, which is a more severe 



