VOL. XXXVII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 473 



leaves of the yew-tree, so much noticed by the ancients, and whose very shade 

 they supposed to be fatal to those who sat or slept under it. 



Exper. 12. — He gave 3 oz. of this water by clyster to a very small cur dog, 

 but he was not in the least affected with it 



Exper. 13. — He also gave, by the mouth, 1 oz. of a water, distilled from 

 the leaves of the bay-tree, to a young spaniel, without any effect. 



Exper. 14. — He afterwards made an experiment with the distilled water of 

 box-leaves, which had a very strong narcotic smell. He injected 5 oz. of this 

 water, by the anus, into a small cur dog ; but he was no way affected with it, 

 though he kept him 12 hours after the operation. 



Exper. 13. — Being desirous to know whether the virulency of laurel-water 

 was owing to the fire in distillation. Dr. M. poured warm water on some laurel- 

 leaves bruised, and made a strong infusion of them. He poured 1 oz. of it 

 down a dog's throat, half of which was supposed to enter the stomach, and 5 

 minutes after another oz. was given in like manner. The dog seemed to be 

 somewhat sick at his stomach, but was soon as lively as ever. A few minutes 

 after this another oz. was given to him by the mouth, of which lie supposes ^ 

 part to have been lost. He soon after stared, and trembled very much. In 5 

 minutes another oz. was exhibited ; on which he trembled as before, but in a 

 little time he appeared easy and lively. 



Imagining that these small quantities lost their power, during the intervals 

 of giving them, in 10 minutes after his taking the former dose, he poured 

 down his throat 2J- oz. at once. He immediately tumbled on his back con- 

 vulsed, and tumbled over 3 or 4 times, but quickly returned to his feet. He 

 staggered, his eyes stared, and he sat down like a dog that is tired. At length he 

 shut his eyes, his neck became extended, and it was apprehended he was falling 

 into convulsions ; but instead of it, he vomited a vast quantity of indigested 

 chyle, in which appeared a great portion of the infusion ; after which he seemed 

 to be perfectly recovered. 



Exper. iQ. — In about 25 minutes after this. Dr. M. gave the same dog by the 

 mouth 2 oz. of the juice expressed from laurel-leaves, and in about 10 minutes 

 more another oz. was given him in the same manner. In a few minutes he be- 

 gan to lose the use of his hinder legs, but he quickly recovered them. On his 

 taking another oz. soon after the former, he fell into a great difficulty of breath- 

 ing, and yelled much. After this he was seized with very strong convulsions, 

 which affected his lower jaw and hinder legs most remarkably. 



In about the space of 5 minutes these convulsions were succeeded by an entire 

 resolution of all the limbs. He breathed with great difficulty, and very slowly. 

 No appearance of expiration. Sometimes Dr.M. observed two attempts at inspira- 



VOL. VII. 3 P 



