362 DR THOMAS R. FRASER ON STROPHANTHUS HISPIDUS. 



latter were weaker than originally. In 35 min. after the second injection, the reflexes 

 wcrt' decidedly weakened, and spontaneous movements had ceased. In 1 hour after 

 the second injection, reflexes could be obtained only when strong stimulation was 

 applied. The condition was the same 30 min. afterwards. 



These two experiments show that the injection of Strophanthus into the blood- 

 vessels leading directly to the brain and cord is not followed by any evidence of an 

 action on the brain. They, as well as many of the experiments previously described, 

 however, suggest that the reflex function of the cord may be directly affected ; for 

 in Experiment XXXVII. this function disappeared in less than 2 hours after the 

 injection ; and in Experiment XXXVIII. it had become much enfeebled in 1 hour and 

 45 min. after the first injection. 



Medulla. 



The action on the cord is further displayed in the three succeeding experiments. 



Experiment XXXIX. — A frog, weighing 305 grains, received 0"05 grain of 

 extract by subcutaneous injection. In 36 min., a normal sitting posture was retained, 

 and the frog jumped well when irritated. In 1 hour 5 min., the frog was lying on 

 the abdomen, chest, and head, and, although unable to jump, irritation caused active 

 reflexes in the two pelvic extremities. In 2 hours 35 min., reflexes could no longer 

 be obtained even with strong irritation. A sciatic nerve was exposed, and when 

 stimulated by weak galvanism, contractions occurred in the limb supplied by the 

 nerve, but not elsewhere. A feeble galvanic stimulus was then passed through the 

 upper part of the cord, and it produced active movements in both pelvic extremities. 



Experiment XL. — In a frog, weighing 188 grains, a ligature was tied round the 

 right thigh, excluding the sciatic nerve. Three min. afterwards, O'l grain of 

 extract of Strophanthus was injected under the skin at the left flank. In 1 hour 

 35 min., the reflexes in both pelvic extremities were sluggish. In 2 hours, -even 

 strong mechanical or galvanic stimulation failed to excite any reflex movement in 

 the non-poisoned (left) pelvic extremity as well as elsewhere, but slight stimuli applied 

 to either sciatic nerve still caused movements in the limb supplied by the nerve, 

 which were, however, much stronger in the non-poisoned than in the poisoned limb. 

 In 2 hours 10 min,, the muscles of the thoracic extremities failed to contract when 

 directly galvanised, and a cut section of these muscles was found to be acid in re- 

 action. In 2 hours 15 min. , galvanism of the left (poisoned) sciatic nerve failed to produce 

 any contraction, and the exposed muscles of the left thigh were found to be acid in 

 reaction, hard and pale. Even feeble galvanic stimuli, when applied to the right 

 (non-poisoned) sciatic nerve, still caused active contractions of the right pelvic extremity ; 

 and when applied to the upper part of the spinal cord, contractions also occurred in the 

 right pelvic extremity. On the following day, marked rigor existed everywhere except 

 in the right pelvic extremity ; the right sciatic nerve was now inactive ; but the muscles 

 of the right pelvic extremity contracted when directly galvanised. 



