EFFECT OF POISONING THE F(ETUS. 
443 
I could find no such evidence on record, except the experi- 
ments of IVIagendie already referred to, and these had yielded 
a negative result. But the nature of these experiments 
appeared to me objectionable ; for it seems almost impossible 
to open the vessels of the cord and inject directly into 
them, without interfering to a fatal extent with the foetal 
circulation. 
This was the general plan of my experiments : 
By opening the abdomen and uterus, to expose and isolate 
a living foetus. Then to inject into it, with the least possible 
amount of violence, some substance capable of ready absorp- 
tion, and the operation of which is marked by obvious and 
unmistakeable effects. To be sure that no trace of the sub- 
stance came into direct contact with the maternal tissues. 
To place the foetus thus injected in a condition most favor- 
able for the continuance of the circulation, and then to 
watch for symptoms of the operation of the poison upon the 
mother. 
The poison I selected from some others was strychnia, for 
these reasons : 
It is extremely active in very minute doses. 
It is easily dissolved, and therefore readily absorbed. 
Its absorption is rapidly followed by its operation on the 
system. 
The symptoms of its operation are striking and charac- 
teristic. 
Its effects are not materially counteracted, nor its symp- 
toms masked, by the influence of chloroform. 
After some experiments with strychnia dissolved in various 
menstrua, as alcohol, benzole, &c., I preferred as the most 
eligible a solution of strychnia in diluted acetic acid. In this 
way I obtained a very convenient solution of the acetate of 
strychnia, of sufficient strength. 
Twenty-four grains of strychnia were dissolved in seven 
drachms of distilled water by the addition of one drachm of 
acetic acid. Twenty minims of this solution, therefore, con- 
tained one grain of strychnia. 
A certain quantity of this solution was introduced, usually, 
into the abdominal cavity, through the parietes, by means of 
an AneFs syringe. This little instrument is very convenient 
for the purpose. The abdominal w T all can be easily pierced 
with its fine point without any violence. The quantity of 
fluid injected can be accurately calculated, and when with- 
drawn the minute puncture is so closed by the natural 
elasticity of the tissues, when the foetus is far advanced in 
development, as to prevent the escape of any portion of the 
solution. 
