American Toijon called Ticunas. xlv 
viper and the American poifon are both harmlefs any how ap- 
plied to the nerves ; but that they are both poifonous when in- 
troduced into the blood. Thefe are fadts which were before 
unknown; they are truths now laid open; nor can they be 
brought into doubt again by any one. Thefe facts deftroy all the 
fyftems that have been invented by the writers upon the adtion 
of thofe poifons ; and from thefe fadts we ought to fet out to 
arrive at the knowledge of thofe poifons, and of the manner 
in which they operate. 
Some light might probably have been thrown upon the adtion 
of the poifon of the Lauro-Cerafus, by applying it to different 
parts of the brain of living animals ; but I referve this experi- 
ment for a more convenient occalion than the prefent, and till I 
{hall have reduced the Laurel water to the confidence of fyrup. 
In that ftate, the poifon being rendered much more active, will 
probably offer new and more important fadts, and may perhaps 
give a clearer in light into its operation ; as alfo enable us to 
judge upon what parts of living animals it adts fo as to kill them. 
I fhall alfo referve for that time the trial of whether that poifon 
adts upon the lymphatic veffels, or, to fpeak more properly, on 
the lymph itfelf. This is a mere fufpicion which I have lately 
taken up, and which my prefent circumftances do not permit 
me to examine at prefent. I am therefore forced to give my ex- 
periments on this fubjedt, in fome meafure, defedtive and imcon-~ 
nedted. 
