Scientific Intelligence. — Medical Chemistry. 159 



Similar experiments were afterwards performed on dogs, some of 

 them young and others old and robust. The application was decisive 

 even after the animal had become insensible, and the remedy had 

 been delayed four and five minutes after the invasion of the symp- 

 toms, and to such an extent as to render death otherwise inevitable. 

 The chlorine was applied in solution, and the animal appeared to 

 breathe it with avidity. 



The affusion of cold water on the head and neck, appeared evi- 

 dently in some cases to have a good effect, and where chlorine is not 

 at hand, it should be faithfully tried. 



M. Orfila recommends that in case of poisoning by this acid taken 

 into the stomach, a strong emetic be immediately administered — or if 

 there is reason to believe, from the length of time that the poison has 

 passed the pylorus, a purgative enema ; and without delay place un- 

 der the patients nose a vessel containing one part of strong liquid 

 chlorine, and four parts of water ; or, in defect of chlorine, one part 

 of aqua ammoniae, and twelve of water. The breathing of these 

 gases, and especially of the first, must be insisted on with slight inter- 

 vals. At the same time, water as cold as possible should be poured 

 on the head and neck and along the spine. A vessel filled with ice 

 should be placed on the head, and kept there until the symptoms dis- 

 appear. Bleeding in the jugular or in the arm, or leeches behind 

 the ears will be indicated by symptoms of cerebral congestion, al- 

 though it was found bleedings alone were insufficient to restore the 

 patient. These remedies may be simultaneously applied, and if in 

 due season, a cure may be almost certainly effected. It may not be 

 amiss, also, to rub the temples with tincture of cantharides and am- 

 monia, and to apply sinapisms to the feet. The patient should 

 have also assuaging drinks. 



It may not be useless to remark that the foregoing method of treat- 

 ment, may probably be employed with advantage in cases of poison- 

 ing from other venomous substances. This the author proposes to 

 investigate. — Idem. 



4. Efficacy of Chlorides. — Extract of a letter from M. D^Arcet^ 

 fils, member of the medical commission sent to Egypt. — The chlo- 

 rides tried upon forty seven persons affected with the plague, did 

 neither good nor harm ; but these preparations completely preserved 

 the six members of the commission. The autopsies were by this 

 means performed without accident. Clothes taken from persons 

 who had died of the plague the preceding day, were purified by the 



