230 VEGETABLE POISONS. 



the conclusion that it occasions death by disturbing the functions of 

 the brain. 



While engaged in these last experiments, I dipped the blunt end 

 of a probe into the essential oil, and applied it to my tongue, mean- 

 ing to taste it, and having no suspicion that so small a quantity could 

 produce any of its specific effects on the nervous system ; but 

 scarcely had I applied it, when I experienced a very remarkable and 

 unpleasant sensation, which I referred chiefly to the epigastric re- 

 gion, but the exact nature of which I cannot describe, because I 

 know nothing precisely similar to it. At the same time there was 

 a sense of weakness in my limbs, as if I had not the command of 

 my muscles, and I thought that I was about to fall. However, these 

 sensations were momentary, and I experienced no inconvenience 

 whatever afterwards. 



I afterwards applied a more minute quautity of the essential oil 

 to my tongue several times, without experiencing from it any disa- 

 greeable effects; but on applying a larger quantity, I was affected 

 with the same momentary sensations as in the former instance, and 

 there was a recurrence of them in three or four seconds after the 

 first attack had subsided. 



From the instantaneousness with which the effects are produced ; 

 and from its acting more speedily when applied to the tongue than 

 when injected into the intestine, though the latter presents a better 

 absorbing surface, we may conclude that this poison acts on the 

 brain through the medium of the nerves, without being absorbed 

 into the circulation. 



Juice of the leaves of aconite* 



. Exp. 7. An ounce of this juice was injected into the rectum of 

 a cat. Three minutes afterwards he voided what appeared to be 

 nearly the whole of the injection ; he then stood for some minutes 

 perfectly motionless, with his legs drawn together; at the end of 

 nine minutes, from the time of the injection, he retched and vomit- 

 ed ; he then attempted to walk, but faltered and fell at every step, 

 as if from giddiness. At the end of thirteen minutes, he lay on 

 one side insensible, motionless, except some slight convulsive mo- 

 tions of the limbs. The respiration became slow and laboured ; 

 and at forty-seven minutes from the time of the injection, he was 





