PHYSICAL CONSTITUTION AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. 179 



dilute hydrochloric acid had been added, into the stomach of a rabbit, weighing 

 three pounds and thirteen ounces. In twenty-four minutes, some symptoms 

 of sleepiness were observed, which chiefly manifested themselves by nodding 

 movements of the head. In thirty-nine minutes, the reflex excitability seemed 

 increased, as a slight touch caused a sudden, somewhat spasmodic start. In one 

 hour, the sleepy condition had so far increased, that the head rested on the table, 

 and the eyelids were semi -closed. In one hour and twenty minutes, the rabbit 

 could be placed in almost any position, provided physical rest were allowed ; and 

 it would remain sleeping in these attitudes until roused by sounds or by pretty 

 violent irritations. It continued in this condition for more than two hours ; but 

 in three hours, the sleepiness was less marked, and on the following morning 

 the rabbit was in a perfectly natural state. 



Sulphate of methyl-codeium was prepared from the iodide, by precipitating it 

 by means of sulphate of silver. It forms a white crystalline mass, readily soluble 

 in cold water. 



It is a rather more active poison than the iodide, for we found that ten grains, 

 exhibited subcutaneously, was sufficient to kill a rabbit. We observed only 

 slight symptoms with eight grains. 



Experiment XCVI. — Eight grains of sulphate of methyl-codeium was dissolved 

 in twenty minims of distilled water, and injected under the skin of a rabbit, 

 weighing four pounds. No distinct effect was observed until thirty minutes, 

 when some uneasiness was shown by restless movements of the limbs, and, soon 

 after, a little trembling occurred. Weakness of the limbs was then exhibited by 

 occasional stumbles, and, in thirty-three minutes, the rabbit fell, and remained rest- 

 ing on the abdomen, with the lower jaw on the table. There were no starts nor 

 spasms, and even the trembling had now ceased ; while severe irritation of the 

 skin caused merely slight reflex movements. After remaining in this state for 

 twenty minutes, the symptoms gradually improved, and the rabbit appeared to 

 be quite well two hours after it had received the poison. 



Experiment XCVII. — Ten grains of the sulphate of methyl-codeium was dis- 

 solved in distilled water, and injected under the skin of a rabbit, weighing four 

 pounds and four ounces. In twenty-three minutes, the head and portions of the 

 body shook in a quivering manner ; and, gradually, the head sank until it rested 

 on the table. In twenty-five minutes, the legs gave way, and the animal fell ; 

 faint twitches occurred over the body, but otherwise the condition was one of 

 complete flaccidity. In thirty-five minutes, it remained on the side, without any 

 resistance. In thirty-eight minutes, the respirations were laboured, and at the 

 rate of thirty-six per minute ; and in other four minutes, they had fallen to twenty 

 per minute. In forty-one minutes, these movements were extremely shallow and 

 irregular; and in forty-two minutes, they altogether ceased. In the course of this 

 experiment, no convulsive symptoms occurred, and no hypnotism was observed. 



VOL. XXV. PART I. 2 Z 



