534- ACTION OP HYDROCYANIC ACID ON THE HORSE. 
quickly rose to 120, the respiration became laboured, the 
inspirations being long, and the expirations short ; the 
nostrils were dilated ; the bind extremities lost their power 
of support ; the membrana nictitans was forced over the eye- 
ball ; the iris was contracted ; the whole frame became 
violently convulsed; the muscles rigid, as if affected with 
spasm, and the countenance singularly anxious. This was 
considered to be the extent of the influence of the agent, as 
all these painful symptoms gradually disappeared; but in 
about ten minutes a recurrence of them took place, and in a 
much greater degree of intensity : the breathing was more 
laborious, the pulse again became quickened, and seeming 
delirium was present, for the animal beat her head violently 
against the wall; the upper lip was thrust out, and the jaws 
were firmly locked. Profuse perspiration followed this state 
of excitement ; the flanks heaved and fell with much force ; 
all the muscles of the body were in a state of tremor ; the 
eyes had a peculiarly wild and glassy appearance, with the 
palpebras performing rapid movements, by which the eyes 
were alternately opened and shut. The faeces were voided twice 
during the paroxysms, but they did not possess any smell 
of the acid. The animal supported herself on her legs, but 
was to all appearance, in the agonies of death, and indeed 
was expected every moment to fall down dead. This violent 
action continued for about five minutes, when a gradual 
diminution of the effects of the agent took place, as in the 
former instances; and the animal again was left without 
any unfavorable symptom present except being in a state of 
great debility. At repeated intervals, a return of the 
paroxysms took place, but less and less in potency. In an 
hour after the application of the acid, the pulse was 80, 
the animal comparatively tranquil, and when food was 
offered her, she commenced eating it as if nothing had taken 
place. The following morning, there was much inflammation 
around the orifice, but the animal was lively, the pulse 
beating 35 in the minute, firm in tone, and regular. 
It having been from the above experiment ascertained 
that the effects of the acid were as marked when placed under 
the skin as when given by the mouth, it was determined to 
see what its influence would be when exhibited in the form 
of clyster. Accordingly, three weeks after, to the same 
animal, two drachms of Scheele’s strength acid, mixed with a 
pint of water, were thrown up the rectum by means of a 
syringe. The pulse antecedent to the exhibition of the enema 
was beating 40 in the minute, and regular. In four minutes, 
it had risen to 60 ; the respiration became laborious ; the 
