186 REPORT—1868. - 
To approach a conclusion on this particular point I moved from the 
iodides altogether, and from the monocarbon series altogether, and repeated 
some experiments, which I had commenced as early as 1864, with various 
nitrites of the bodies of which carbon is the base. I began with nitrite 
of amyl, passed to nitrite of ethyl, and next to the nitrite and nitrate of 
methyl. The results are rich in interest ; for each one of these substances 
proves to be singularly antidotal to the acute action of strychnia. So re- 
markably is this true in respect to nitrite of amyl, that in a frog tetanized 
with strychnia I was able to hold back every convulsion for three days by 
the simple experiment of keeping the animal on a bed of moist moss, coye- 
ring it with a bell-jar, and by introducing into the jar two minims of the 
nitrite every eight hours on a strip of paper. 
But here came the singular fact, and in different degrees it was seen in 
all the other experiments ; so soon as the bell-jar was removed, and the 
antidote was able to escape from the body of the animal, the strychnine 
tetanus returned. In one case, however, by great care in the experiment, 
a slightly tetanized frog was kept long enough under the nitrite to allow 
the effects of the tetanic poison to cease, and this animal recovered. 
These truths are so convincing that I can have no hesitation in confirming 
another suggestion I made at the Birmingham Meeting, for the careful em- 
ployment of the nitrite of amyl, by inhalation, in the treatment of tetanus 
in the human subject. The remedy can be inhaled from the alcoholic solution 
which I have already placed before the Section, and it may be applied, under 
cautious or, rather, careful administration, whenever there is spasmodic 
paroxysm. 
But what is the action? Ido not think there can be any doubt on the 
point in the case of the nitrites. It is clear that the action is purely phy- 
siological, because when the antidote is not renewed the action of the 
strychnine returns. I am bound at this moment to confine myself to the 
strict narration of this fact, without applying it by inference to the iodides, 
bromides, or other bodies of the organic series. Next year, after a new 
course of experimental research, I shall, I trust, be able to show the posses- 
sion of some more definite knowledge on the subject. 
I conclude. It is not a practice of mine to trespass beyond due bounds 
on the patience of an audience, and if on this occasion I may appear to 
have broken a wholesome rule, I really cannot apologize. The subject I 
have had to treat goes to the root of principle in the study of means for 
the cure—I am bold to say the cure, by true and certain scientific methods, 
of the diseases which most severely scourge the human family and many of 
the lower families in the scale of living arganization. 
Gradually, but surely as gradually, the curer of bodies will learn from the 
chemist and the practical physiologist that his remedies, rapid in action, easy 
in administration, positive in result, must all come from the organic com- 
pounds, wnich are of themselves a part of the organic nature. 
Thus learned, the physician will exchange dogmatism for wisdom, faith 
for knowledge, and doubt for certainty. He will compete with his fellows 
by the pure struggle of intellect; he will be responsible for results without 
evasion, and his duties will be more solemnly his own; but he will stand, 
where he never stood before, a conscious master in his art; he will know in 
what he doth believe, and the world, assured by his exactitude, will soon 
learn to know none but him in his vocation. 
