and its Alkaloid Conia. 413 



continued for four minutes. During this period the eyelids and muzzle still showed 

 some sensibility, and the heart again pulsated vigorously. The artificial inflation of 

 the chest was again interrupted for one minute with precisely the same phenomena 

 as before, and again resumed, also with the same results, for nine minutes. At this 

 time, thirty-eight minutes after the poison was applied, the sensibility of the eyelids 

 and muzzle was distinctly improved, the head in particular being plainly withdrawn 

 a little ; but the pupil was dilated, and the iris quite insensible. The inflation was 

 now discontinued for five minutes, with the same results as formerly ; the animal 

 was very nearly at the point of death, and the eyelids greatly less sensible, when, on 

 again resuming artificial respiration, the heart recovered its usual rate and force, and 

 the sensibility was somewhat improved. In fifty-two minutes, however, under con- 

 tinued inflation, the sensibility was greatly impaired, although the heart pulsated 

 vigorously. The experiment of inflation was then abandoned. The usual convul- 

 sive twitches of asphyxia followed; and for six or seven minutes there were feeble, 

 irregular, respiratory movements, as proved by placing the felt of a hat over the 

 hole in the tube. 



In sixty-one minutes every muscular movement had ceased, except that the 

 heart was felt pulsating through the parietes of the chest. It continued to beat for 

 some minutes after death. The blood was fluid and coagulated as usual. 



Exp. IX. Three drops of conia were dropped into the eye of a strong and fu- 

 rious cat. Instantly it made violent efforts with its fore-paws to rub out the poi- 

 son. While continuing to do so, the hind legs became, in forty seconds, affected 

 with slight convulsions, and so weak that it could not support itself on them. Soon 

 afterwards the fore-legs also became weaker and weaker; but they were still con- 

 stantly employed in efforts to rub the poison out of the eye, and these efforts con- 

 tinued, though gradually becoming more and more feeble and imperfect, so long as 

 there was any power of motion left. On account of the frequency of these voluntary 

 efforts, it was impossible to say how soon the respiration was affected, till in ninety 

 seconds, when all voluntary motion ceased ; and it was then found that the respiratory 

 movements had ceased also, even the diaphragm being motionless. A few convul- 

 sive twitches succeeded, as in ordinary cases of death by asphyxia. The heart pul- 

 sated vigorously for five minutes after the breathing ceased. It was then tied firmly 

 at its base, removed from the body, and washed. The blood was immediately af- 

 terwards discharged from it into a clean saucer, and ascertained, by four persons 

 present, not to present the slightest odour of conia. 



The continuance of voluntary efforts to the very last in this in- 

 stance is a decided proof that volition, and consequently sensa- 

 tion, were unaffected. The absence of any odour of conia in the 

 blood of the heart, seems sufficient proof that, if absorbed, it is 

 nevertheless not necessary that the poison should reach the heart 

 in order to exercise its peculiar action. 



3 g2 



