123 EEPORT— 1872. 



made, which differed from each other by a difference in the interval of time 

 between the administration of the two substances. On this plan two sets of 

 .experiments were made, in one of which atropia was given before physo- 

 stigma, and in the other after it ; and subsequently these two sets of ex- 

 periments were connected together by a third, in which atropia, in various 

 doses, was given simultaneoushj with the same dose of physostigma as was 

 given in the two other sets of experiments. The general result of this series 

 of experiments is that successful antagonism occurs with a greater range of 

 doses of atropia, and a greater range of intervals of time between the two 

 administrations, when atropia is given before physostigma than when it is 

 given after it. 



An eminent authoritj' in pharmacology has recently published the state- 

 ment that the onlj' method whereby the injuiious action of a poison, absorbed 

 into the blood, can be made to terminate is by the employment of such 

 means as will cause or hasten the elimination of the poison. This statement, 

 fortunately, does not accurately describe our remedial resources. The exist- 

 ence of so undoubted an example of i)hysiological antagonism as that between 

 atropia and physostigma shows that the toxic influence of a morbific agent 

 may be directly opposed bj^ a physiological antidote, and that recovery may 

 be produced by influencing the abnormal conditions themselveSj in such a 

 manner as to cause their return to a normal state. 



\ 



Fifth Report of the Committee, consisting o/Sir W. Thomson, F.R.S., 

 Professor Everett, Sir Charles Lyell, Bart., F.R.S., Professor 

 J. Clerk Maxwell, F.R.S., Professor Phillips, F.R^S., G. J. 

 Symons, F.M.S., Professor Ramsay, F.R.S., Professor Geikie, 

 F.R.S., James Glaisher, F.R.S., Rev. Dr. Graham, G. Maav, 

 F.G.S., W. Pengelly, F.R.S., S. J. Mackie, F.G.S., Professor 

 Hull, F.R.S., and Professor Ansted, F.R.S., appointed for the 

 purpose of invesiirjating the Rate of Increase of Underground Tem- 

 perature downwards in various localities of Dry Land and under 

 Water. By Professor Everett, D.C.L., Secretary. 



In December last intelligence was received from Prof. Sismonda that the 

 administration of the railway owning the Alpine tunnel had given per- 

 mission to Father Secchi to carry on a series of observations in the tunnel 

 concerning terrestrial magnetism, and that this distinguished observer was 

 willing at the same time to conduct observations of temperature in accord- 

 ance with the plans of your Committee. Two maximum and two minimum 

 thermometers were accordingly placed in Father Secchi's hands ; but it 

 appears that the arrangements for commencing the magnetic observations 

 are not yet completed, and that accordingly no observations of tempera- 

 ture have as yet been taken. 



Prof. Lubimoff, of Moscow, on receiving a copy of last year's Report, 

 wrote to the Secretary, correcting a mistake in the description of the 

 thermometer used in taking observations in the Moscow well. The ther- 

 mometer was enclosed in an hermetically sealed case containing air, and 

 was therefore completely protected against any possible effect of pressure. 

 Prof. Lubimoff at the same time asked to be furnished with a thermometer 



