DE THOMAS E. FEASEE ON STEOPHANTHTTS HISPIDUS. 345 



Experiment VI* — A still larger dose (01 grain) was given in the same way to a frog, 

 weighing 287 grains. In 8 min., the frog was less active in its movements, but the limbs 

 retained a normal position. In 15 min., when irritated, it jumped feebly. In 19 min., 

 the thoracic extremities were weak, and the thorax often rested on the table. In 28 

 min., the frog was on the abdomen and thorax; and. when irritated, pretty energetic 

 movements occurred in the pelvic extremities, but the frog was unable to jump, although 

 attempts were obviously made to do so. The respiratory movements of the throat were 

 very shallow, and those of the flanks very feeble and infrequent. In 40 min., a good 

 deal of frothy mucus had been exuded from the skin ; the reflex excitability was not 

 exaggerated. In 40 min., almost incessantly fibrillary twitches were occurring in the 

 muscles of the abdomen, and both throat and chest respirations had ceased. In 57 min., 

 when placed on the back, the frog attempted to turn, but could not do so. No cardiac 

 impact could be seen. The fibrillary twitches continued, and were best seen at the 

 lumbar regions and behind the eyeballs. When the skin was irritated, pretty energetic 

 movements occurred in the pelvic extremities and in the abdominal walls, and only feeble 

 movements in the thoracic extremities. In 1 hour 17 min., irritation of the skin caused 

 feeble reflex movements in the two pelvic extremities, but none in the thoracic, which 

 were now stiffly extended at right angles to the body. The spontaneous fibrillary 

 twitches had now ceased ; when, however, the skin at the coccyx or upper part of the 

 thighs was irritated, a series of fibrillary twitches occurred at the lumbar and gluteal 

 regions. In 1 hour 27 min., galvanic stimulation of the muzzle excited feeble reflex 

 movements in the pelvic extremities, but none elsewhere. In 1 hour 42 min., weak 

 galvanic stimulation excited no movement ; strong galvanic stimulation, however, excited 

 feeble movements in the pelvic extremities. The four extremities were now stiff and 

 extended. In 1 hour 44 min., the heart was exposed, and it was found to be motionless, 

 with the ventricle contracted and pale, and the auricles dilated and dark. Even the 

 most powerful galvanic current from a Daniell's cell and Du Bois Eeymond's induction 

 apparatus, applied directly to the heart's surface, produced no movement whatever. In 

 2 hours 2 min., galvanic stimulation of the exposed right sciatic nerve caused only some 

 feeble and sluggish movements of the right foot ; and strong galvanic stimulation of the 

 exposed muscles of the right thigh failed to produce any contraction. In 2 hours 22 min., 

 galvanic stimulation of the right sciatic nerve no longer produced any effect. When the 

 muscles of various parts of the body were stimulated, no movement occurred. A certain 

 degree of general stiffness was present, and the four limbs were still extended. On the 

 following day, 22 hours after the administration, strong general rigor existed. The 

 ventricle of the heart was contracted and pale ; the auricles were distended with blood. 



Experiment VII. — A rabbit, weighing 3 lbs. 3 oz.. was the subject of the next 

 experiment. The normal rate of the respirations was 28 per 10 sec, and the right pupil 

 measured \§ x 5#ths of an inch. 0*05 grain of extract was administered by subcutaneous 

 injection. In 2 min., the rabbit was restless. In 10 min., the respirations were 23, and 



* Published in 1872 in a preliminary paper in Journal of Anatomy and Phijsiology, vol. vii. p. 142. 



