ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION OF THE METHYL COMPOUNDS. 53 



circuit, and both sides of the heart are filled with blood which is little 

 changed in colour. The muscles retain their irritability after death, and are 

 capable of response to galvanism for two and even three hours after death, 

 while the heart will continue to pulsate spontaneously for half an hour or 

 even forty minutes. 



Iodide op Methtl. 



The iodide of methyl that was used was made, in the usual way, by distil- 

 ling wood-spirit with iodine and phosphorus ; viz. 12 of spirit with 8 of 

 iodine, and 1 of phosphorus. The fluid at first was nearly colouiiess, and 

 boiled at 108° Fahr., its sp. gr. being 2-199. Although kept well excluded 

 from the light it underwent slight change, setting iodine free. It is altoge- 

 ther a very difficult compoiuid to manipulate with, physiologically, in the con- 

 centrate form. It can be managed better when diluted with methylic alcohol 

 or with ether. I succeeded, however, to subject animals to the vapour, and 

 discovered that in proportions of 10 per cent, the action of the iodide is the 

 same as that of the chloride, i. e. it is a very good anaesthetic. When, how- 

 ever, the iodine is escaping there is profuse lachrymation and salivation. 

 There is also free secretion from the bronchial surface, and one animal died 

 I'rom this accidental bronchitis some hours after it had recovered from the 

 anaesthesia. 



Beomide or Methyl, 



The bromide of methyl, the analogue of the chloride and iodide, bromine 

 taking the place of chlorine or iodine, is a substance having a specific gravity 

 of 1-660, and a boiling-point of 55° F. I used it in experiment by inhalation 

 alone, and also in combination with ether in equal parts. It Avas discovered 

 as good an anfesthetic as the chloride, and recovery was perfect ; but there 

 was some degree of irritation and sahvation excited, results probably due to 

 free bromine. The irritation is produced chiefly in the eyes and in the 

 salivary glands, causing lachrymation and salivation. 



Acetate of Methyl. 



The acetate of methyl obtained by distilhng acetate of soda, oil of vitriol, 

 and methyhc alcohol, with rectification over lime and chloride of calcium, is 

 a clear fluid with an agreeable odour. Its specific gravity is -910, and its 

 boiling-point 13G° Fahi-. It is administered easily by inhalation, and in four 

 minutes, in the proportion of 9 per cent., it produces gentle sleep with quick 

 recovery if the administration be short. Prolonged inhalation causes difficult 

 breathing. It is a substance which admits of being largely used in medicine, 

 in cases where a diaphoretic and narcotic are required in combination. 



Methylic Ethee. 



This substance, obtained by the action of sulphuric acid on methylic alcohol, 

 is a gas at ordinary temperatures, and does not admit of being used physio- 

 logically in any other state. It has an agreeable odour, and is taken up 

 easily by ether. I used it most conveniently with ether, liberating it by heat 

 below the boiling-point of the ether. Administered by inhalation it produced 

 perfect anaesthesia, and that in an easy and rapid manner. The breathing 

 is scarcely disturbed, and the action of the heart is extremely regular. Ee- 

 covery is not very rapid, but perfect. 



