68 
EXPERIMENTS ON NITRE. 
5th, That we cannot admit the opinion of M. Tourtelle, that 
this substance acts like the other neutral salts. 
With the view of witnessing some satisfactory and decisive 
effects of nitre, I determined upon the following experiments : — 
Experiment I. 
Upon a full-sized cart horse, naturally of strong constitution, 
but aged, and very low in condition ; pulse at the commence- 
ment of the experiment 36. 
Nov. 1 6th, 1 7th, and 18 th. — Gave every day two doses of 
nitre, one ounce each, in a bran mash, the first at 8 o'clock a.m., 
and the second at 3 o'clock p.m.; during these three days the 
pulse varied from 34 to 38. On the evening of the second, its 
effects were diuretic and laxative : these increased on the third 
day, accompanied with long and continued rumbling of the 
intestines. 
19^, 20 th, and 21st. — Gave two doses of four ounces each, 
at the same time and in the same manner as before. On the 
first day the diuretic effect ceased, and afterwards no unnatural 
appearances were discernible : pulse standing at 36, and regular. 
22 d, 23 d, and 24 th. — Gave two doses of two ounces each. On 
the first evening his pulse rose to 38, with some appearances of 
pain, much fluid following the fasces, though not purging : diuretic 
effect recommenced. On the second day the pulse was 40; and on 
the third all unnatural appearances vanished; pulse remaining 40. 
2 5th. — Gave eight ounces morning and afternoon: in the 
evening his pulse rose to 60, and he appeared uneasy. 
26th, 8 o’clock a m. — Gave eight ounces of nitre ; pulse 40, 
irregular and weak. 12 o'clock, pulse 60 ; breathing quickened. 
3 o'clock p.m., gave another dose of eight ounces. 8 o’clock, 
pulse 66, rather full. 10 o'clock, pulse 76, weak and irregular; 
glancing at the flank, and other expressions of pain : had been 
diuretic throughout the day. 
27 th, 8 o’clock a.m. — Pulse 45, and regular. Gave eight 
ounces of nitre. 11 o’clock, pulse 52 ; 12 o’clock, pulse 48; 
3 o’clock p.m., gave eight ounces, pulse 48 ; 5 o’clock, pulse 
44 ; 10 o’clock, pulse 50, and no appearances of pain or disease. 
Thinking it probable that the effect of this drug might, in 
some measure, be mitigated by its admixture with the bran, 
I resolved to fast him fourteen hours, and give his daily dose of 
one pound at once, in solution ; and that his stomach might be 
perfectly empty, I had his box cleared of both food and litter. 
28 th, 8 o’clock, a.m. — After fasting fourteen hours, gave one 
pound of nitre, dissolved ; pulse 36. 10 o’clock, gave him a 
bran mash, of which he ate very little. 12 o’clock, pulse the 
same ; breathing much quickened : he appears uneasy, languid, 
