THE ACTIONS OF PHYSOSTIGMA AND ATROPIA. 569 



it recovered in the first experiment, and only one-half as large as that from 

 which it recovered in the second. The results were, that fibrillary twitches, par- 

 tial paralysis, and tremors were quickly produced ; that the lachrymal, salivary, 

 and bronchial secretions were profusely increased; that the cardiac contractions 

 became gradually slower and slower; that defalcation and urination occurred; 

 and that the respirations became more and more laboured and shallow, until they 

 ceased on the occurrence of death, at seventeen minutes after the administration. 



It was ascertained after death, that the weight of the dog was ten pounds 

 and one ounce. 



In the experiment that will now be described, atropia was administered five 

 minutes after a lethal dose of sulphate of physostigmia had been injected under 

 the skin. 



Experiment 54-a. — An active young Scotch terrier dog, weighing ten 

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

 grain of sulphate of physostigmia, dissolved in 25 minims of distilled water. 



Before the injection, the rate per ten seconds of the cardiac impulses was 

 32, and that of the respirations 4, and the size of the pupils, in a full light, was 

 £#ths x -|tyths of an inch. 



In two minutes after the commencement of the administration, symptoms of 

 discomfort were manifested, and the lips were moved and licked with the tongue, 

 as if an unusual quantity of fluid were present in the anterior part of the mouth. 

 In four minutes, slight tremors frequently occurred, and fibrillary twitches were 

 present. 



In five minutes, a solution containing three-tenths of a grain of sulphate of 

 atropia in 15 minims of distilled water, was injected under the skin at the right 

 flank. In two minutes thereafter, the tremors already noted had become more 

 prominent and strong, the limbs were unable properly to support the body, urine 

 was Voided, saliva escaped from the mouth, and the eyeballs were unnaturally 

 moist. The tremors and weakness quickly increased, so that, on account of the 

 former, it became impossible to determine the rate of the cardiac and respiratory 

 movements; while, on account of the latter, stumbles occurred, and the head 

 began to droop, until often it touched the floor. In five minutes, the pupils 

 were greatly dilated, but now the secretions of the salivary and lachrymal 

 glands were diminished. In seven minutes, the dog lay quietly on the abdomen 

 and thorax, and in thirteen minutes, it fell over on the side. An endeavour was 

 made to count the cardiac impulses ; but when the hand was placed over the 

 heart, the tremors referred to became so greatly increased that it was im- 

 possible to distinguish the heart's impulse. It was not until thirty-eight 

 minutes that an attempt to count the heart's contractions was successful, 

 and then it was found that the impulse occurred at the rate of 45 in ten 

 seconds. At the same time, the respirations had a rate of 7 in ten seconds, and 



VOL. XXVI. PART III. 7 T 



