o/ Edinburgh , Session 1866-67. 57 
19. The peristaltic action of the intestines is usually destroyed at 
death ; it may, however, continue a short time afterwards. 
20. The pupil contracts in all cases of rapid poisoning in mam- 
malia and in birds. When the dose is small, in place of contrac- 
tion, dilatation is sometimes observed ; but this is extremely rare. 
In frogs the pupil has been generally observed to contract, but no 
connection could be determined between the dose and this symptom. 
21. Calabar bean acts as an excitant of the secretory system, 
increasing the action of the alimentary mucous, of the lachrymal, 
and of the salivary glands. 
22. The symptoms of poisoning are not materially altered, in the 
frog, by the removal of the brain or by division of the cervical por- 
tion of the spinal cord. 
23. Artificial respiration does not prevent death in mammals 
after the exhibition of a poisonous dose. This is a necessary result 
of the effects of Physostigma on both the cerebro-spinal and sym- 
pathetic systems. 
24. Congestion of internal organs occasionally occurs, but this 
is by no means an invariable consequence of a fatal dose. 
25. The blood is dark after death, but becomes arterialised on 
exposure to the air; it usually clots loosely and imperfectly; and, 
when examined with the spectroscope, the bands of scarlet crurine 
are found unchanged. A microscopic examination demonstrates, 
in the rabbit and dog, an invariable change in the coloured cor- 
puscles, which have their outlines distinctly crenated. This change 
is not observed in the blood of birds or amphibia. The white cor- 
puscles remain unaltered. 
B. Topical Effects. 
1. When applied to the surface of the brain of a frog, no effect 
was produced ; but when the poison was brought in contact with 
the spinal cord, a few twitches occurred in the extremities, followed 
by paralysis of the portion of cord acted on. 
2. When Calabar bean is applied to a mixed nerve, in a concen- 
trated form and with proper precautions to prevent absorption, the 
afferent nerve-fibres are first paralysed, and afterwards the efferent. 
This is readily demonstrated by acting on the sciatic nerve of the 
frog and, after some time, administering a small dose of strychnia. 
VOL. VI. 
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