THE ACTIONS OF PHYSOSTIGMA AND ATROPIA. 551 



decreased to 42 in ten seconds ; and now the rabbit was affected with occasional 

 tremblings, restlessness was present, and the movements were somewhat impeded 

 by a slight degree of extension of the anterior extremities. In eight minutes, 

 urine and faeces were voided, the latter having a perfectly normal appearance, 

 tremors were of frequent occurrence, and the fibrillary twitchings had become 

 greatly exaggerated, the entire surface of the animal being in constant move- 

 ment. In ten minutes, the extension of the limbs had given place to undue 

 flaccidity, so that they could scarcely support the body ; weak general 

 tremors succeeded each other at intervals ; the muscles of the neck seemed unable 

 properly to support the head, which often subsided until the lower jaw nearly 

 rested on the table ; the respirations occurred 30 times in ten seconds ; and the 

 pupils measured ^ths x ^-§-ths of an inch. In seventeen minutes,the animal 

 fell on the abdomen and chest, and remained in this position. Tremors still 

 occurred, though weaker and less frequent than before, and the fibrillary 

 twitching of the panniculus carnosus muscle had rather diminished ; but it was 

 apparent that similar twitchings were occurring in the deeper muscles. In twenty- 

 two minutes, the lower jaw was rested on the table, and the arching of the back 

 had almost disappeared. Attempts were made to count the heart's impulse, 

 but when the hand was placed on the animal, tremors so severe and continuous 

 were excited that it was impossible to ascertain the rate with accuracy. In 

 twenty-five minutes, the general weakness had still further increased, so that the 

 limbs were extended helplessly at right angles to the body, and the side of the 

 head was resting on the table. The respirations were now 20 in ten seconds, the 

 pupils measured -£-§ths x ^-gths of an inch, and the fibrillary twitches had 

 become less prominently marked. In thirty minutes, a slight improvement was 

 manifested in the condition of the animal, for spontaneous tremors but rarely 

 occurred, nor were they excited in their former severity when the hand was 

 placed on the body. It was therefore possible to count the heart's impulses, 

 which were ascertained to occur 41 times in ten seconds. A general improve- 

 ment was still more distinctly perceived at forty minutes after the injection of 

 physostigmia, when the head was now and then quietly elevated, and attempts 

 were made to raise the body from the table. The latter were at first unsuccess- 

 ful, but at forty-nine minutes the rabbit succeeded in rising, and at once assumed 

 a perfectly normal posture. In fifty-two minutes, several faecal pellets of natural 

 appearance were passed ; the heart's impulse was at the rate of 36, and the re- 

 spirations were at that of 22, in ten seconds ; the fibrillary twitchings were 

 pretty well marked ; and the rabbit was able to go about, though with consider- 

 able difficulty. After this, the animal usually sat quiet in a normal attitude, and 

 in a short time it was able to go about without any perceptible difficulty. In 

 one hour and thirty minutes, a great number of large faecal pellets were passed, 

 which were of a somewhat pultaceous consistence. At this time, the rate of 



