240 



to distillation with water. It was from tlie consideration of this strange 

 reaction that it occurred to me that lime would be of avail in cases of 

 poisoning. 



From another quantity of the shoots of the tree, crystals were obtained of 

 a very mixed character, which gave precipitates with iodide of mercury, also 

 the bichloride of mercury. These Lad a very peculiar taste, saline and bitter, 

 and very biting, and were poisonous, half a grain causing slight nausea and 

 exciting symptoms similar to the oil, but milder. 



In all my experiments, the ether, alcohol, chloroform, etc., used, were 

 the commercial articles. 



Respecting the efficacy of a mixture of lime and water in cases of 

 poisoning, and before giving the report by Dr. G. H. Acheson, of this town, 

 it may be as well to state that nothing was administered by way of general 

 treatment, the antidote only was given, besides what takes place when a 

 mixture of cream of lime with water is added to the simple extract of tutu 

 rendered fluid with a little water and mixed. The extract was prepared by 

 macerating the young, but woody and develojoed, shoots in water, acidulated 

 with acetic acid, and applying a gentle heat, pressing, and evaporating to the 

 consistency of an extract. These shoots yield extract more poisonous than the 

 succulent ones. Having to handle these wet shoots rather frequently, induced 

 vomiting. The day the extract was prepared, its admixture with lime gave 

 strong ammoniacal vapour. It was very poisonous. About half a scruple was 

 given to a cat ; I was obliged to leave her, and on my return, in twenty 

 minutes time, found her dead. 



On the second day the reactions were similar. 



On the third day after preparation, the ammoniacal vajDOur was jxist 

 perceptible, but readily detected by fumes of hydrochloric acid ; it was but 

 slightly poisonous. 



On the fourth day the extiact had become much thinner, gave no 

 ammoniacal vapour, and was not in the least poisonous. 



The extract preserved its original consistency until the third day, when it 

 became soft, which condition was much increased by the fourth day. During 

 this time the weather was fine ; I do not think the atmosphere was more 

 humid than iisual. Three extracts prepared at intervals of five or six days, 

 and in succession, behaved in a similar manner. 



"When the cream of lime is added to good (poisonous) extract, it coagulates 

 or thickens, and appears to swell immediately, strong ammoniacal vapour 

 being at the same time evolved. Should the extract possess fragrancy, owing 

 to some of the fragrant oil not being dis]3elled during the process of 

 preparation, it is at once destroyed by the lime. It is important to observe 

 that the inert extract on the fourth day after preparation, retained this odour. 

 From what I have seen of its action, it possesses emetic properties only. 



