TARTAR EMETIC. 975 



immediately after it was drawn from the body, it 

 disorganized the red particles. We are also in- 

 formed by Andral, that when six grains of it 

 were given daily in divided doses to individuals 

 labouring under the milder forms of pneumonia, 

 the disease gradually assumed the character of 

 malignant typhus. And there is reason to be- 

 lieve that, if all physicians had recorded their 

 observations with the same intelligence and fide- 

 lity, many thousand similar cases might be 

 adduced. 



The operation of an emetic is attended with all 

 the leading symptoms of intermittent fever. Its 

 first effect is to weaken the capillary vessels of 

 the stomach, by impairing the vital properties of 

 the blood ; to arrest the secretion of gastric juice, 

 and cause a tendency to inflammation of that 

 important organ. The shock thus imparted to 

 the general system, diminishes, to a greater or 

 less extent, the function of respiration, as shown 

 by a slight sensation of chilliness soon after the 

 medicine is taken, followed by a small, frequent, 

 and irregular pulse, head-ache, dimness of vision, 

 lowness of spirits, and universal debility, until a 

 spasmodic state of the stomach is induced, and 

 its contents are discharged by vomiting. But as 

 this stage of depression is attended by a cessation 

 of nutrition and of all the secretions, the vital 

 heat obtained by breathing is not transferred to 

 the solids, but accumulates in the blood, causing 



