and its Alkaloid Conia. 393 



dence of its power is obtained by injecting it into a vein. Ma- 

 gendie, speaking of the concentrated or pure prussic acid when 

 similarly applied, compares its action to that of a cannon-ball or 

 thunderbolt : " La foudre n'est pas plus prompte." Figurative 

 as this language may be, it is the only mode of conveying an ade- 

 quate idea of the effect of conia when injected into the blood. 

 Proceeding to inject into the femoral vein of a young dog two 

 grains of the alkaloid exactly neutralized with thirty drops of di- 

 luted muriatic acid, I was prepared for great rapidity of action, 

 and was going on the instant to observe the time by seconds ; but 

 oi\ glancing for a moment over the watch at the animal, I ob- 

 served it was dead. In two seconds, or three at farthest, and 

 without the slightest warning struggle, respiration had ceased, and 

 with it all external signs of life. 



Of the effects previously related some are most clearly seen 

 where the progress of the poisoning is slow, others where the ac- 

 tion is rapid. It is only, for example, where death takes place 

 rather slowly, that we can satisfy ourselves of the maintenance of 

 the functions of the external senses ; because in other circum- 

 stances the instant invasion of paralysis of the voluntary muscles 

 takes away all power of expression, by which alone we can judge 

 of the state of the senses. But when the poison is given so as to 

 operate slowly, then distinct evidence may be obtained that both 

 sight, touch, and hearing are retained so long as the most feeble 

 power of movement is preserved, so that sensation may be follow- 

 ed by expression. The integrity of the circulation and muscular 

 contractility is, on the other hand, best shewn where death is 

 prompt. When the poison acts slowly, the heart after death is 

 found gorged, and contracting feebly or imperfectly ; — a physio- 

 logical phenomenon not connected with any peculiar action of 

 the poison on the heart, but which is common to all modes of 

 death by slowly formed asphyxia. But where the action is swift, 

 and asphyxia prompt and complete, the heart acts spontaneously 

 with great force even in the higher orders of animals for a great 



