402 SAVIN PRODUCING ABORTION IN MARES. 
about ten, and the other about twelve days. This, how- 
ever, is conjectural. Abortion had evidently been pro- 
duced by the aid of savin, the smell of which was very strong 
in the urine and faeces. For a short time before, there had 
been observed a rapid falling away of the flesh of the 
animals; and when called to see them, I noticed that 
mucous discharge took place from the anus, which seemed to 
excoriate the parts over which it passed. 
“ My treatment, after abortion had taken place, consisted 
of the administration of the spirits of nitric ether with lau- 
danum, in consequence of the subsequent straining being 
violent, followed by a gentle aperient, and I am now giving 
tonics. The mares are both progressing favorably, but are 
still very weak. 
“ In the manger, after the farmer had retired to rest last 
night, was placed some saline substance, which I send to 
you a portion of for examination.” 
[The salt forwarded is only common table-salt in large 
crystals. The form of the crystal is cubicular. Heat causes 
decrepitation. The taste is purely salt. Dissolved in water, 
and a solution of nitrate of silver added to it, a curdy pre- 
cipitate is thrown down, which darkens on exposure to 
light, is insoluble in nitric acid, but soluble in ammonia. 
A few grains distilled with dilute sulphuric acid, and the 
disengaged vapour received in pure water, rendered it acid, 
and the nitrate of silver gave the like precipitate to the above. 
The solution that remained after distillation, afforded no 
precipitate with either the chloride of platinum or tartaric acid. 
We feel therefore convinced that it was the savin which 
had done the mischief, and the salt was merely placed in the 
manger to deceive. 
Burnett, speaking of the Juniperus Sabina, says — 
“It is a powerful stimulant ; but although recommended as a diaphoretic 
and emmenagogue, yet as the Malthusian doctrines, although theoretically 
commended are not practically enforced, it is seldom used, except in the 
form of ointment to promote the discharge from blisters, or to cleanse foul 
ulcers and other unhealthy sores. The expressed juice of the leaves is said 
to be serviceable in the treatment of tenia capitis.” 
Dr. Pereira enters more fully into a consideration of 
the subject. With reference to its physiological effects on 
animals , he observes that — 
“ Savin acts on animals as an acrid poison. Orfila (‘ Toxicol. Gen.’) applied 
two drachms of the powder to an incised wound in the leg of a dog ; in- 
flammation and infiltration of the limb took place, and death occurred in 
about thirty-six hours. Four drachms introduced, into the stomach of a 
dog, and the oesophagus tied, caused death in thirteen hours ; the stomach 
was bright red, and the rectum a little inflamed. Orfila infers that its 
effects depend principally on its absorption, and its action on the nervous 
