PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION OF THE METHYL AND ALLIED SERIES. 4}9 



of butyl and amyl have yet to take a very important part in medicine ; they 

 admit of being applied in many eases where a prolonged sleep is required ; 

 for this purpose they may to a considerable extent replace opium. 



THE IODIDES. 



The action of the iodides of methyl and of amyl have already been reported 

 on : they both produce insensibility ; the first causing free elimination from 

 glands, and the second causing tremors resembling those induced by amy lie 

 alcohol. 



The iodide of ethyl resembles the methyl compound closelj" in its action, 

 but it produces sleep more quickly and with less irritation. The vomiting 

 produced by it is severe, and its action, if carried to the production of insen- 

 sibility, is not comfortably safe. It maj' be administered cither by inhalation 

 ■with ether or by subcutaneous injection ; it brings down temperature six 

 degrees in birds. The iodide of hutijl is very slow in its action, and produces 

 symptoms closely resembling those caused by the amyl iodide, viz. tremors, 

 and, during recovery from the insensibility, motions, partly voluntary, in a 

 circle or semicircle, which continue for a long period. The temperature falls 

 under the influence of this agent from five to six degrees in pigeons, and from 

 two to three degrees in rabbits. The colour of the blood is much heightened, 

 the venous appearing as arterial blood, and the coagulation is very slow. The 

 corpuscles are not injured, and show no disposition to coalesce, llecovery 

 from the insensibility produced by the butyl iodide is good. The iodide may be 

 administered by inhalation with ether or methylic alcohol, or bj- subcutaneous 

 injection ; and it has this advantage, that of all the iodides it shows least dis- 

 position to undergo change on accidental exposure to the air, 



KoTE ON TUE Iodides. 



The substitution of the clement iodine in the organic bodies, marked in our 

 Table, induces evident difference of physiological action. The action of the 

 iodine is throughout on glandular structure, an excitation of glandular action 

 and elimination, the action declining as the quantity of iodine is reduced. 

 The Avhole of these organic iodides exert an climinatory as well as an anodj-ne 

 influence, and for this reason thej' promise to be of great service in medicine. 

 Iodide of butyl will probably be found to be the best of the series. 



To make them applicable as internal remedies, I have studied carefully 

 the best mode of preparing them, and find the form of syrup by far the most 

 effective and convenient. )Specimens of syrujjs are before the Section. 



PART II.— MEANS OF EESTORATIOX. 



The second and concluding part of my Ecport has reference to the all-im- 

 portant question of the best means of meeting what seem to be fatal accidents 

 arising from the administration of those agents which are most commonly iu 

 use. In this direction of research I have had unexampled opportunities of 

 study, and I regret only that the length of my Report necessitates an undue 

 brevity on this one particular topic. 



The substances which commonly produce dangerous symptoms divide them- 

 selves into two classes, — those which produce prolonged intoxication, and 

 those which produce quick insensibility and immediate death. The alcohols 

 are illustrations of the first of these series ; the chlorides and ethers, and, 

 indeed, all the very volatile and gaseous narcotics, are illustrations of the 

 second. 



