THE ACTIONS OF PHYSOSTIGMA AND ATEOPIA. 567 



of the animal kingdom. It was, therefore, with the greatest confidence as to 

 the result that the following experiments on dogs were performed. 



Experiment 52-a, — I injected three-twentieths of a grain of sulphate of 

 atropia, dissolved in 10 minims of distilled water, under the skin at the left 

 flank of a cross-bred Spanish terrier, weighing eleven pounds ; and the usual 

 plan was followed of injecting immediately afterwards the washings of the 

 syringe, so as to ensure that the whole of the dose mentioned should be 

 introduced. 



At five minutes after the commencement of this injection, a dose of nine- 

 tenths of a grain of sulphate of physostigmia, dissolved in 30 minims of 

 distilled water, was injected under the skin at the right flank, the syringe was 

 washed out with a few drops of water, and this water was injected under the 

 skin at the right hip. 



In five minutes after the injection of physostigmia, the dog was lying quietly, 

 apparently but little inconvenienced, and the pupils were dilated. Soon after* 

 distinct fibrillary twitches were observed, a little discomfort was manifested, 

 and quite suddenly the dog fell over on the side. A normal crouching posture 

 was, however, soon assumed, but it was maintained for only a few minutes, and 

 in eleven minutes the dog again fell on the side. A few feeble and unsuccessful 

 efforts were made to turn, soon afterwards incessant tremors made their appear- 

 ance, and the fibrillary twitches became greatly increased in their frequency and 

 prominence. It was not until fifty minutes after the administration of physo- 

 stigmia, that any decided evidence of an improvement in the general condition 

 of the dog was observed. It now, however, appeared to take some interest in 

 the events that were occurring near it, and when spoken to, elevated the ears 

 and even slightly raised the head. In fifty-nine minutes, it got up and walked 

 about the room slowly and unsteadily. 



On the morning of the second day, the dog eat a large meal with evident 

 satisfaction, and with the exception of some languor and of a slowness in the 

 cardiac contractions, it appeared to be in a normal state. The pupils were now 

 somewhat contracted. 



Experiment 52-b. — On the eleventh day — ten days after the performance of 

 the previous experiment, — the dog, being active and well, and weighing eleven 

 pounds and four ounces, received, by subcutaneous injection, three-tenths of a 

 grain of sulphate of physostigmia dissolved in 20 minims of distilled water. 

 Immediately before this injection, it was ascertained that the heart's contrac- 

 tions occurred at the rate of 23 in ten seconds. 



The first obvious effect occurred in five minutes, and consisted in the pro- 

 duction of fibrillary twitches. In seven minutes, faeces were passed ; and 

 soon afterwards, there was some unsteadiness in the movements, and gentle 

 tremors and almost incessant movements of the lips and mouth took place. 



