VOL. XL.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 1&J 



Abstracts of 1 Letters from M. Dufay, F. R. S. &c. to Dr. Mortimer, Sec. 

 R. S. concerning the Efficacy of Oil of Olives in curing the Bite of Fiper^. 

 N°451, p. 444. 



In the 1st extract, dated Paris, Aug. 8, 1737, M. Dufay says, after he had 

 given the Academy an account of Dr. M.'s observations on the remedy against 

 the bite of vipers, a committee was appointed to make the same experiments. 

 But whether it be, that the French vipers are more venomous than the English, 

 or that the bites were more considerable, of the several pigeons and fowls that 

 were bitten, not one recovered, though they were immediately rubbed with 

 oil. They died in -J- of an hour, or in 1 hour's time at farthest. The like 

 experiments have been made on several other animals; but as the gentlemen 

 are resolved to repeat them, M. D. did not send an account of them. All he 

 could say at that time was, that the remedy seemed to be not so sure in France 

 as in England, where he found by the public newspapers, that a rattle-snake 

 had been brought, and that its bite has been cured by the same remedy. 



In the 2d Abstract, dated at Paris, Dec. 11, 1737, he says, two members 

 of the Academy had been employed to make the experiments relating to the 

 cure of the bite of vipers, and they had accordingly n)ade some upon dogs, 

 cats, pigeons, chickens, ducks and turkeys; some of which had been cured, 

 but some others died notwithstanding this remedy; and there were even some 

 that did not die, though they were bitten very deep, and yet no application of 

 oil was made. This is the report they had made of these experiments; and 

 they are determined to make new ones. All that can be thought concerning 

 the difference of the success of this remedy at London and at Paris, is, that 

 all vipers are not equally venomous; that all bites are not perhaps equally easy 

 to be cured ; and that the vipers in France are more dangerous than those in 

 England. Finally, the sequel of these experiments will probably teach us, in 

 what cases this remedy may be applied in this country, France. 



M. D. then remarks that they had made with success the phosphorus of 

 Kunckel, as good and as fine as that of Mr. Godfrey : they made 9 drachms 

 at the first operation. 



Concerning the Poison of Henbane- Roots. By Dr. Patouillat, Physician at 

 Toucy in France. N° 451, p. 446. 



The 26th of Jan. 1737, Dr. P. was called to a cottage near Toucy; where 

 he was surprised to find 9 persons together, all having the true symptoms of 

 being poisoned ; with this difference, that some were speechless, and showed 



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