of Edinburgh , Session 1868-69. 
587 
4. Preliminary Note on the Antagonism between the Actions 
of Physostigma (Calabar Bean) and Belladonna. By Dr 
Thomas R. Fraser. 
(Abstract.) 
In this paper the author described a number of observations 
which appear to demonstrate that the fatal action of certain doses 
of physostigma may be prevented by the administration of atropia. 
The following plan was adopted for the investigation : — After 
the minimum fatal dose of each poison had been approximately 
determined for rabbits and dogs of different weights, a fatal dose of 
one of the poisons was administered along with a certain dose of 
the other, and, if death did not result, the same animal was sub- 
sequently killed by a dose of one of the poisons equal to or less 
than that given in the combination. 
To illustrate the general character of the results, the following 
experiments, among others, were described : — 
Experiment 1. — A solution of four grains of sulphate of atropia, 
in twenty minims of distilled water, was injected under the skin at 
the left flank of a young rabbit, and, immediately afterwards, a 
solution of 05 gr. of physostigma, in fifteen minims of distilled 
water, was injected under the skin at the opposite flank. In two 
minutes the pupils were dilated. Fibrillary twitches then occurred, 
and in about ten minutes paralysis was present to such a decided 
extent that the rabbit had great difficulty in moving about, and 
usually lay extended on the abdomen and chest, with the head 
resting on the lower law. It continued in this state for about 
twenty minutes, and then the symptoms gradually disappeared ; so 
that, in rather more than an hour and thirty minutes after the in- 
jections, it appeared to have recovered perfectly, with the exception 
that the pupil-dilatation remained. 
Experiment 2. — Several days subsequently, 05 grain of extract 
of physostigma, in fifteen minims of distilled water, was injected 
under the skin of this animal. Death occurred in fifteen minutes. 
Experiment 3. — In the next experiment, a rabbit of nearly the 
same weight as that used in the last received six grains of sulphate 
of atropia, and then 05 grain of extract of physostigma. The 
symptoms were less serious and of shorter duration than in the 
