180 REPORT—1868. 
fell again to 107°-7. After this the temperature rose to 108°, and remained 
there, the animal seeming entirely well. 
In a further short series of experiments the influence of cold during 
narcotism from ether-vapour was tested. The temperature of a pigeon 
having been reduced by narcotic action of ether from 107° to 104°, the spray 
of ether was directed upon the head until the superficies of the cerebrum 
were solidified. Under these combined influences the temperature of the body 
ran down as low as 97°°7._ At this point of extreme reduction of heat there 
occurred a severe tremor; but on restoring warmth, the recovery was steady 
and good, the natural heat being back in ten hours. 
In a similar experiment made with chioroform-vapour, the results were 
the same within a little less than a degree. The reduction of temperature 
was from 107°:5 to 98°°5. The recovery was good. 
One other experiment deserves notice, for the accident attending it. In 
administering chloroform to a rabbit having a temperature of 102°, the 
thermometer, during a sharp paroxysm of muscular excitement, rose at one 
move to 103°°8, or nearly two degrees. At the moment the heart ceased to 
pulsate, and the animal was dead. The occurrence is entirely in character 
with what has often happened in the human subject under chloroform. The 
heart involyed in the sudden muscular excitement has contracted spasmo- 
dically, and the motion of life has ceased for good. 
I ought almost to apologize for relating these facts on the temperature of 
animals under chloroform and ether with so much minuteness; but practical 
physiologists, who will at once see their bearing, will pardon me. The facts 
we have gathered are :— 
(a) That during the stage of the muscular excitement incident to the cir- 
culation of chloroform through the body there is a temporary increment 
of heat. 
(b) That with the cessation of the muscular motion there is a gradual 
decrease of heat. 
(c) That the decrease of temperature is greatly accelerated and intensified 
by the act of vomiting. 
(d) That coincidently with the minimum of reduced animal temperature 
there is intermittent action of the heart and the extreme of muscular 
prostration. 
Influence of Electrical Excitation during the Action of Methyl and Ethyl 
Compounds. 
The observations already recorded led me to make a further inquiry in 
respect to the influence of the galvanic current at different stages of nar- 
cotism. - In this research chloroform was the only narcotic used, and pigeons 
were the subjects of experiment. 
In the first experiment, the animal having been subjected to the vapour 
of chloroform until the development of the stage of excitement, and the con- 
sequent increase of temperature, a needle connected with one pole of an elec- 
tro-magnetic machine was passed through the skin of the neck, while a 
second needle was passed through the leg. The free end of the second pole 
was next brought to the needle in the leg, and a moderate current was passed 
through the body. In an instant the muscular over-action was converted into 
general rigidity, the chest was fixed, the heart was fixed, and death was the 
immediate result. 
In the next experiment, the same arrangements for the transmission of 
the current having been made as before, and the same strength of current 
