VOL. XXXVII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 4gg 



only stretching out his legs, expired presently. Being opened, about 2 oz. of 

 the laurel water was found in his stomach, and some frothy mucus ; the veins 

 in general were very turgid, but the blood was still fluid ; and they could dis- 

 cern no alteration in any of the viscera. 



Dr. M. gave 4 oz. of laurel water to Dr. Porter. He forced down a pretty 

 large dog 3 oz. with no great difficulty. The creature instantly returned about 

 •2 oz. by vomit, clear and unaltered ; in a few minutes he grew very convulsed; 

 soon after became motionless, and to all appearance was dying. Within 10 

 minutes he vomited a second time, and threw up a small quantity of a viscid, 

 green, and very frothy matter : from which moment he began to recover, and 

 within half an hour was perfectly well. He was kept in the yard all night, and 

 the next morning not the least disorder was perceived in him. 



About half an hour after 6 in the evening Dr. M. gave about 4- oz. of the 

 laurel water to a middle-sized spaniel, weighing near iCilb. which he swallowed 

 with great reluctance, spilling near as much more, which he endeavoured to 

 pour down his throat. Some of the company desired he might be set down, to 

 see what effect so small a quantity would produce: he remained about a minute 

 and a half on his legs ; he then began to reel, and in about 3 minutes more fell 

 into most violent convulsions, and his neck and tail were strongly drawn to- 

 wards each other; he neither vomited nor purged, but they expected he would 

 expire every minute, the convulsions being so exceedingly strong, when some 

 of the company called for some milk, in order to try whether it would prove an 

 antidote to so desperate a poison. They poured a little milk into his throat, 

 which at first he could not swallow, but guggled it up again as if almost strangled 

 with it. After several trials he began to swallow some, about a spoonful at a 

 time, and seemed a little relieved, his convulsions leaving him, only fetching 

 his breath very hard ; but he lay still and snorted, as if in a profound sleep; and 

 the milk frothed out of his nose : on rousing him, he opened his eyes, and 

 swallowed the milk better, which seemed to revive him much; so that the com- 

 pany imagining he would entirely recover, went away. Dr. M. staid some time 

 longer, till at last he began tfo lap the milk himself when held up to it : he 

 vomited up a good deal of milk, which relieved him more; and then he lapped 

 again, but could not stand on his legs. He left him in this condition about 7 

 o'clock, thinking he would have recovered, and left orders that he should have 

 a pan of milk, and another of water, about a pint of each, set by him, and 

 that he should be kept shut up all night. About 1 1 o'clock he was seen alive 

 and walking about ; but next morning he was found dead, after having drank 

 up all the milk and water, and having vomited and purged a good deal. 

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