406 VEGETABLE DRUGS 



condition lasted about three minutes, and was followed by a 

 period of relaxation. But tbe slightest noise or irritation of 

 tLe skin brought on convulsions. The convulsions became 

 i^ss frequent and violent, and ceased altogether within half 

 ■in hour. The same animal was given gr. ^/^q of the alkaloid 

 on the following day, but without producing any appreciable 

 result. One-tenth of a grain, given on another day and in 

 the same manner, caused immediate uneasiness and restless- 

 ness, and in ten minutes induced a severe convulsion, lasting 

 for three minutes, in which the animal was so rigid that he 

 could be lifted bodily without bending. The ears were 

 drawn back, the limbs were extended and stiff, the tail was 

 straight and rigid, and there was twitching of the muscles 

 of the jsrw and limbs. The corners of the mouth were drawn 

 back (risus sardonicus), the mouth was covered with foam, 

 and there was some trismus. The breathing was nearly 

 suppressed, owing to tetanic spasm of the respiratory muscles. 

 Following this convulsion, the jaw dropped, the muscles re- 

 laxed and another attack could not be produced by noises or 

 external irritation. Some twitching of the temporal muscles 

 persisted. Evidently the second stage of poisoning had en- 

 sued, and the motor nerves and cells of the inferior cornua 

 had become paralyzed. Death occurred in general paralysis 

 within half an hour, and without any recurrence of convul- 

 sions or tetanic condition. Death takes place more com- 

 monly in strychnine poisoning from asphyxia, during a con- 

 vulsion, and is caused by spasm of the respiratory muscles, 

 or, more rarely, by spasm of the glottis. Sometimes death 

 ensues, after enormous doses, in general paralysis from de- 

 pression of the spinal nerve centres — without the occurrence 

 of convulsions. Rarely death occurs from exhaustion be- 

 tween the paroxysms. When strychnine is given medici- 

 nally in large doses the appearance of restlessness, excite- 

 ment, and muscular twitchings, should warn one of the 

 danger of approaching poisoning. 



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