276 report — 18G5. 



negative narcotics, and enters into no chemical combination with the tissues. 

 This fact led Dr. Snow to say that in action it almost resembled nitrogen. 

 I should myself rather compare it to carbonic oxide ; only that carbonic 

 oxide produces convulsive movements and vomiting, which amylene rarely 

 does. 



When an animal has died from amylene, the peculiar odour of the sub- 

 stance may be detected in the tissues for many days. This circumstance 

 may seem at first sight to be opposed to the statements already made re- 

 specting the feeble absorption of tbe vapour by the blood. However, there 

 is no contradiction ; the phenomenon is due to the circumstance that amy- 

 lene possesses the power of charging water with its own odour and taste 

 when in extreme division. This fact was observed by Snow with his usual 

 precision. "Amylene," he says, "requires 9319 parts of water for its 

 solution ;" and, he adds, " the water which has dissolved this small quantity 

 of amylene tastes as distinctly of it as amylene itself." I notice this pecu- 

 liarity, as it might happen some day to be of service in medico-legal inves- 

 tigations. 



Ajitiic Alcohol. 



Amylic alcohol, the hydrated oxide of amyl, is obtained in the fermenta- 

 tion of potato-starch or starch of grain. It is an almost colourless fluid, 

 and boils at 270° ; its density is 0-818. Its smell is sweet, nauseous, and 

 heavy. In composition it difiei's from amylene in that it contains oxygen ; 

 its chemical composition is C 10 H 12 2 . Its solubility in water is about the 

 same as amylene. 



In action it resembles amylene in being antiseptic, and in changing the 

 colour of flowers and plants. It acts on the body, whether administered by 

 the mouth or by inhalation, but it is most effective when inhaled in minute 

 subdivision from an atomizer. 



Administered by inhalation in small quantities, it produces in the first 

 instance signs of irritation of the nostril and then of drowsiness, but there 

 is no anaesthesia ; if the inhalation be continued, and the quantity increased, 

 the symptoms of coma or sleep are more fully developed, but without any 

 insensibility, and with almost immediate recovery on the animal being re- 

 moved. Pushed further still, the animal sinks on its side and loses the use 

 of the limbs. At last the coma becomes very profound, and it may be intensi- 

 fied up to the point of insensibility. At this stage of the process, and some- 

 times a little before it, a peculiar symptom is developed, viz. a universal 

 tremor, accompanied with a very deep inspiration. There is no spasm, no 

 pain, no rigidity, but in medical language rigors of an intense kiud. These 

 rigors ai~e soon established in regular rhythm, and by maintaining the expe- 

 riment cautiously, they may be kept up for several hours. I have seen them 

 for one hour at the rate of sixteen in a minute as regularly as possible, and 

 by reduction of the agent have lowered them to twelve, eight, and four per 

 minute. All through the breathing is tranquil and the action of the heart 

 good. The rigor occurs spontaneously in this manner, but it can be excited 

 at any moment by touching the animal or blowing upon it, or even by a 

 sharp noise, such as the snap of the finger. When the animal is reduced to 

 entire insensibility, if it be laid in the open air, it begins to recover its sensi- 

 bility at once, but the power to move is suspended for two or three hours, 

 and the rigors also continue, but with decreasing force and frequency. 

 Ultimately the animal recovers thoroughly, and is always very eager for food. 

 When these urgent and, as they would seem, extreme symptoms are carried 



