410 Prof. Christison on the Poisonous Properties of Hemlock, 



dually less and less distinct. In thirty-five minutes the whole muscular system was 

 completely paralyzed, except that there were feeble respiratory movements of the 

 diaphragm, and occasional tremulous contractions of the muscles of the whole trunk. 

 In forty minutes these movements were scarcely perceptible except at occasional in- 

 tervals accompanying feeble efforts to breathe. The eyelids still contracted when the 

 cornea was touched. In forty-two minutes all motion had ceased. There was copious 

 salivation from an early period till the very last. 



In forty-six minutes the chest was laid open. The heart was acting vigorously ; 

 and in sixty minutes the right auricle continued to contract. The veins were much 

 gorged ; the blood fluid, but coagulable as usual. In forty-eight minutes the dia- 

 phragm and trapezius muscles contracted when their respective nerves were gal- 

 vanized. 



Exp. IV. Two drops of conia were dropped into the eye of a strong rabbit. In 

 one minute the hind-legs became stiff and spread, and in one minute and a half the 

 fore-legs also, with hurried breathing. In two minutes and a half convulsive twitches 

 of the neck occurred. In three minutes and a half the eye which had received the 

 poison was so insensible, that the eye-lids did not wink when the cornea was irritated, 

 while the other eye continued quite sensible. In four minutes and a half the con- 

 vulsive twitches were more marked. In five minutes the eye not touched with the 

 poison continued sensible. In eight minutes and a half strong convulsions were ex- 

 cited by dipping the animal in cold water. In nine minutes and a half the breath- 

 ing was convulsive. In ten minutes the respiration ceased ; and then, for the first 

 time, the untouched eye became insensible. 



In sixteen minutes the diaphragm and serratus rnagnus muscle contracted freely 

 when their respective nerves were touched or galvanized. 



Exp. V. Two drops of conia were introduced into a wound near the shoulder of 

 a very strong rabbit. In one minute and a half the hind-legs became stiff", and in 

 two minutes paralyzed and spread out. In two minutes and a half the fore-legs be- 

 came stiff*. In three minutes and a quarter the whole legs were extremely weak, and 

 the position of the animal prone, with the legs extended from the sides, the respiration 

 laboured and short, as if from debility, and the muscles of the chest flaccid. Gene- 

 ral tremor occurred whenever it tried to move. In four minutes and a half the 

 head was feebly twitched backwards. In five minutes the paralysis was complete, 

 and the breathing diaphragmatic ; but in six minutes there was more convulsive 

 tremor than was remarked in any other experiment. In seven minutes and a half 

 the sensibility seemed entire, so far as could be judged of in the paralyzed condition 

 of the animal ; the eyelids winked when approached, tremors were occasioned by 

 touching it, or even by striking the table near it, and one iris was sensible to light. 

 In eight minutes the respiration ceased. 



The chest being laid open soon after, the heart was seen in twelve minutes pul- 



