SCIENTIFIC SUMMAEY. 
327 
titioners^ but, from -wbat we have seen of tbeir effects, we do not tbink them 
usually of any real service. We are g-lad to find, however, that Messrs. 
^IcDougall have introduced a carbolic soap, which is likely to prove of 
advantage in cases of cutaneous disease. We believe this firm is about also 
to manufacture a carbolic soap for rougli household purposes. This would 
be very valuable because of its highly disinfectant qualities, and would be 
found well adapted for use in sick-rooms, the wards of hospitals, &c. 
The Physiological Action of Suhstitution-compounds. — The researches of 
Dr. T. R. Fraser and Dr. Crum-Brown, published in the Journal of 
Anatomy for May, are of the highest interest and practical importance. By 
utilising the property of substitution, these chemists added methyl and 
other radicals to various alkaloids — such as morphia, brucia, strychina, 
codeia, &c. The result was in all cases to diminish in the most remarkable 
degree the active poisonous qualities of the alkaloids, and in one or two 
instances to alter their effects. The action, for example, of iodide of inethyl- 
strychnium was very singular. It took no less than twenty grains of this 
substance to kill a rabbit, and the symptoms produced by it were not those 
of tetanus 5 there were no spasms or convulsions, death appearing to be caused 
by a general paralysis. It is an additional proof of the necessity for carrying 
on investigation in this field, that MM. Jolyet and Cahours, in a menioit* read 
before the French Academy (June 1), state that in the course of seYeral 
experiments on the ethyl, amyl, and methyl-comp§!iinds of aniline, they 
found that the addition of these radicals completely altered the action of the 
aniline. Aniline is usually regarded as a stimulant to the nervous system, 
and in overdoses gives rise to tetanic convulsions ; but the ethyl-aniline 
causes death by paral}"sis. ./ 
The Indian and African Arrow-poisons have received a very cai^eful 
examination at the hands of Dr. Beigel, who has published an excellent 
paper recording the results of his investigations. Having analysed the 
statements of the various Continental and English authorities, he details a 
number of experiments, which seem to have been conducted with the utmost 
scientific precision. He then describes the symptoms seen on administration 
of the poison : The first of the phenomena, provided the quantity either 
injected or taken internally has been sufficiently large to produce an effect, 
is the relaxation of the muscular system, first noticeable in the altered expres- 
sion of the countenance — this becoming apathetic, stupid, to which drooping 
of the upper eyelid soon accedes, partially or totally covering the bulb. The 
individuals under the poisonous influence sometimes, not being aware of this 
occurrence, are under the wrong impression of not being able to see, whilst 
their eyes are only closed. If told of the error they open their eyes, but are 
not able to do this as they would under normal circumstances, part of the 
eyeball remaining covered by the lid. When small quantities have been 
administered, the muscular system does not partake any further in the 
affection j but in case of larger doses, the control over voluntary movement 
may be lost entirely, the involuntary continuing, weaker perhaps, but 
regularly. My experiments have shown that certain parts or groups of the 
system of voluntary muscles are more affected than others; the upper 
extremities, for instance, being still capable of performing firmly these 
movements, while the; lower are staggering and uncertain. Death only 
