80 EFFECTS OF 



unlimited time. We may conclude that, in the 

 last of these experiments, the animal did not 

 recover, because the influence of the poison con- 

 tinued beyond the time during which the circu- 

 lation may be maintained without the brain.* 



III. On the Effects of Arsenic. 



When an animal is killed by arsenic taken in- 

 ternally, the stomach is found bearing marks of 

 inflammation ; and it is a very general opinion, 



1. That this inflammation is the cause of death; 



2. That it is the consequence of the actual con- 

 tact of the arsenic with the internal coat of the 

 stomach. But in several instances I have found 

 the inflammation of the stomach so slight, that 

 on a superficial examination it might have been 

 easily overlooked ; and in most of my experiments 

 with this poison, death has taken place in too 

 short a time for it to be considered as the result 

 of inflammation : and hence we may conclude 

 that the first of these opinions is incorrect, at least 

 a general proposition. 



Many circumstances conspire to show that the 

 second of these opinions also is unfounded. 



In whatever way the poison is administered, 

 the inflammation is confined to the stomach and 

 intestines : I have never seen any appearance of 

 it in the pharynx or oesophagus. 



* See Additional Note G. 



