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a conviction that they might prove to be mutually antidotes 
to each other’s action. It is generally believed that strych- 
nine exerts a specific action upon the lower or lumbar portion 
of the spinal column, exciting the muscular system (at least 
the voluntary muscles) into a state of tetanic contraction, and 
ultimately producing death indirectly by rendering respiration 
mechanically impossible, by virtue of the permanent contrac- 
tion of the pectoral muscles, and not, as was once supposed, 
by its action upon the heart. It is also well known that the 
most powerful agent we possess for relaxing the action of the 
muscles is nicotine, whether administered in the form of to- 
bacco smoke or infusion of the leaves. From these well-known 
facts, Mr. Haughton was led to believe that these powerful 
poisons might be used as antidotes to each other’s action; and, 
with the view of testing this conjecture, he made the fol- 
lowing experiments :— 
First Experiment.— Nicotine. 
A bath consisting of 5 ounces of water, holding dissolved 
5 grains of nicotine, of 1012 specific gravity, was prepared, 
and in this mixture a frog was immersed; in 55 seconds the 
animal became narcotized, and apparently incapable of motion ; 
but on being excited and stirred, it was evident that life was 
not extinct, and the pulsation of the heart did not cease until 
23 minutes after immersion. The anterior extremities became 
paralyzed first, accompanied with a quivering of the forelegs, 
and then the hindlegs were drawn up so as to reduce the 
animal to the smallest possible compass. At the time of 
death, the belly and hindlegs became suffused with a pink 
tint, which was rapidly diffused, commencing at the thighs. 
After death the mouth remained closed, and the eye continued 
very brilliant and life-like. 
Second Experiment.—Nicotine. 
A solution of nicotine was formed, consisting of 5 grains 
of nicotine to 20 ounces of water; and a frog immersed as 
