ACTION OF HYDROCYANIC ACID ON THE HORSE. 533 
the pulse being 44. In five minutes it had risen to 90, in seven 
minutes to 120 ; the breathing became laborious, and there was 
present high excitation of the whole system. After this, a 
prostration of the vital powers took place, and the effects of 
the agent gradually disappeared. 
The next day three drachms of the acid were given, pulse 
36. In three and a half minutes it had risen to 92, and before 
the termination of the fourth minute, most violent symptoms 
showed themselves : the horse reeled, and fell on his head 
with much force, and lay in a state of great excitement for 
about three or four minutes, when he got up. The pulse 
then numbered 120 beats in the minute. After this the 
influence of the agent was no longer apparent, but much 
debility was present. 
On the day following, a drachm of Scheele’s strength acid, 
in an undiluted state , was 'placed on the tongue of the same 
animal. The pulse was then 40. In five minutes it had 
risen to 92 ; the respiration became increased and laboured ; 
and this was followed by tetanic contractions of the muscles 
generally. In seven minutes the pulse was 100, which 
appeared to be the extent of the action of the agent. 
In the evening of the same day, two drachms of the acid 
were similarly exhibited, the pulse having fallen to 40, but 
being very feeble. In two minutes it was 80, and the res- 
piration hurried ; and, in three minutes, the animal fell in 
violent convulsions, which continued for thirteen minutes, 
the pulse being then 172. This was the whole of the effect 
then produced, as the animal got up, but was much exhausted. 
It was now perceived that during the violence of the con- 
vulsions he had fractured the anterior spinous process of the 
ilium; he was therefore destroyed, not being of much 
value. This afforded a favorable opportunity of seeing the 
effects of the agent on the different tissues and viscera. 
The stomach and intestines were found to be pervaded with 
an inflammatory blush. The heart exteriorly was much in- 
flamed, and on its interior surface, spots of ecchymosis existed. 
The brain did not present any unusual appearance; although 
in an ass that was destroyed with this poison the vessels 
thereof were turgid, and the whole of the organ smelt strongly 
of the acid. 
On another animal the endermic method was tried. For this 
purpose, a piece of sponge containing three fluid drachms of 
the acid was inserted, as a rowel, in front of the sternum, the 
edges of the divided skin being brought in apposition by 
means of two or three sutures. Within two minutes the 
animal exhibited symptoms of much uneasiness ; the pulse 
