of Edinburgh , Session 1885 — 86 . 
777 
saturated solution of benzoylecgonin in normal saline, while those on 
the other side were kept moist with normal salt solution. The 
former lost their excitability to electric stimuli very much more 
rapidly than the latter. 
Dr Ashdown examined for me the effect on the histological struc- 
ture of muscle. When the sartorius is teased in a saturated solution 
of benzoylecgonin made with aqueous humour, the fibres swell up. 
There is a tendency to early development of longitudinal striation, 
and the nuclei appear somewhat early. Transverse cleavage very 
readily occurs. After this the fibres become somewhat rapidly 
disintegrated. There is no detachment of the sarcolemma. 
Action on Mammalia. 
Mammals are by no means susceptible to the action of benzoylec- 
gonin, and want of material necessarily made my experiments few in 
number. 
A rabbit which got 24 grs. subcutaneously showed no symptoms 
except a very depressed appearance and a great disinclination to 
move. Next day it had diarrhoea. 
On cats a very decided effect was produced, provided the dose 
were large enough. Two experimente were made — 
Experiment I. — Cat, 3 lb. 12 oz., received at 11.5, 15 grs. hypo- 
dermically. 
11.45. — Reflexes very much exaggerated. Irritation causes a 
spasmodic start. Animal is very timorous ; cowers in a corner of 
the cage, and seems very much disinclined to move. . 
12.50. — Reflexes same. Gait is rather stiff. 
2.20. — Reflexes less marked. Pupils are very dilated. 
The reflex excitability gradually diminished, but the pupil re- 
mained dilated all afternoon. At 6 p.m. it was apparently normal, 
but during the night had very severe diarrhoea. 
Experiment II . — Same cat received six days later 25 grs. sub- 
cutaneously at 12.5 p.m. Shortly after it vomited several times, 
and was severely purged and salivated. The reflexes were greatly 
increased, and the animal trembled continuously. 
1.32. — W^as seized with a violent tetanic spasm lasting one 
minute. After this it lay on its side breathing slowly and in a 
laboured manner. The slightest irritation brought on a spasm. 
