1889.] Albumose from the Seeds of Abrus precatorius. 103 



In another experiment, a pigeon weighing 335 grams was given 

 hypodermically a dose of 20 milligrams albumose. equal to 

 60 milligrams per kilo, of body weight. In hours, the animal 

 began to show symptoms of poisoning, and died in about 6 hours or 

 rather longer. As shown in the accompanying chart the tempera- 

 ture "began to fall from the first, and with a few rises continued to 

 fall until the animal was nearly dead, when the observations were 

 ceased. The curve of the number of respirations per minute follows 

 very closely the temperature curve, until just before symptoms of 

 poisoning appeared, when, as will be seen in the chart, the respiration 

 curve does not follow the temperature curve. 



Figure showing effect of Abriis-albuniose on temperature and respirations of the 

 pigeon. Temperature taken in rectum every half-hour. Dotted hue, respiration ; 

 thick line, temperature. 



Post-mortem Signs. — These are the same as noticed after death 

 from the globulin. There is local oedema and sometimes ecchymosis, 

 with internally gastro -enteritis, and occasionally petechias in the 

 serous membranes. 



The blood is in most cases dark and fluid for a long time after death. 

 It may be semi-coagulated. 



Effect on the Eye. — The albumose causes severe conjunctivitis when 

 applied to the eye. Thus 1 milligram of albumose dissolved in 

 2 minims of previously boiled distilled water, instilled into the eye, 

 causes severe conjunctivitis with chemosis in less than 24 hours, and 

 leaves at the end of six days a steamy cornea with leucomata ; there 

 are also sub-conjunctival ecchymoses. 



Effect of Heat on the Activity of the Albumose. — The poisonous 



