1 68 Researches Regarding Cholera: the Blood. [part i. 



A— Experiments oa the injection of Choleraic and other Organic fluids into the 



Veins of animals. 



In continuing this set of experiments, we had the following objects in view : — 



\8t. — To supply a deficiency in our last report, for which at that time we expressed 

 our regret, viz.., " that the experiments on perfectly fresh choleraic material were not 

 more numerous." 



2nd. — To confirm or modify our inference that the observations then recorded did 

 not afford " any evidence in favour of the existence of a specific poison contained in 

 choleraic excreta, peculiar to them alone, and giving rise to special phenomena when 

 introduced into the system."' 



Zrd. — To accumulate a sufficient number of such experiments as to warrant our 

 drawing something like definite conclusions as to the difference in degree, between the 

 toxic influence of choleraic as distinguished from normal alvine discharges. 



4^A. — To test to the utmost the influence of bacteria in these processes. The 

 questions regarding the influence of bacteria on disease, as well as those relative to 

 the origin of such organisms, have been referred to by an able writer as directly facing 

 us, and as likely to hamper us in the course of further inquiries until disposed of.'" 

 In so far as the morbid processes specially considered in the present report are concerned, 

 we trust that the question regarding the influence of bacteria in the causation of 

 disease has been satisfactorily determined, and we believe that the allied question as 

 to whether or not the introduction into the system of living bodies of any kind is 

 necessary for the production of the particular morbid phenomena under consideration, 

 is also disposed of. With regard, however, to the ultimate origin of bacteria, we have 

 not yet been able from pur own observation to come to any final conclusion. 



5th. — liastly, to ascertain whether the product resulting from lesions thus produced 

 invariably possesses the property of reproducing the phenomena in a more marked or 

 even equal degree. 



These questions will be severally referred to after the narration of the experiments, 

 as it will be more convenient to discuss them when the data upon which the conclusions 

 are based are fully expressed and tabulated : — 



1. — Experiments on the introduction of ivoriiial. alvine solutions into the 



veins of dogs. 



We have somewhat reversed the arrangement of our tables on this occasion, so as 

 to be able at starting to show what the result of introducing solutions of ordinary 

 excrementitious substances into the circulation is, and to ascertain approximately the 

 average proportion of definite results to be obtained from such a proceeding, before 

 referring to the efi'ects of similar material obtained from choleraic patients. 



It will be seen that we have added eight observations to the four recorded in our 



* liritixli Mi-dical Journal, 14tb February, 1S74, page 2(»8. 



