Mr Murray on Hydrocyanic Acid and Opium^ ^c. 125 
A small portion of hydrocyanic acid was given to a healthy 
young rabbit, which proved fatal in ten minutes. Soon after 
its administration, the head declined on one side, violent spasm 
supervened, while the eye lost its lustre, and the animal died in 
dreadful convulsions. 
On dissection after death, the lobes of the lungs appeared pa- 
ler than usual, coagulable lymph was found lining the tra- 
chea, as in Cynanche Trachealis, and the stomach was found in- 
flamed near the pylorus. The brain was not examined. 
The muscular fibre was still excitable by voltaic agency, but 
the excitability soon declined. 
A drop or two of hydrocyanic acid on the head of a frog soon 
proved fatal. The colour promptly changed to an unwonted 
paleness. 
The sciatic nerves of the prepared limbs were moistened with 
hydrocyanic acid, but no suspension of the voltaic excitement 
supervened. It was accompanied by a tremulous movement of 
the muscular fibre, connected with the lines of the nerves ; and 
this spontaneous irritability seemed increased by the application 
of alcoholic solution of iodine. 
It is a singular fact, that not unfrequently an alcoholic solution 
of iodine, dropped on the muscular fibre of a frog, excited phe- 
nomena similar to the action of the voltaic apparatus. It seem- 
ed also to renew excitability when the susceptibility had declined 
or was lost. 
When the symptoms were verging to a fatal issue in a frog, 
a drop or two of ammonia on the head effectually restored the 
animal. 
A greater quantity of hydrocyanic acid was given to a young 
rabbit than proved fatal in the case detailed. Ammonia, vy as oc- 
casionally applied to the mouth on a sponge. The animal e:sfhi- 
bited no unhealthy symptom whatever. 
A considerable quantity of the hydrocyanate of ammonia with 
excess of base, was administered to another rabbit, but with- 
out any deleterious effect, 
Haifa drachm of hydrocyanic acid was given to a healthy 
young rabbit. The effects were prompt. Respiration became 
laborious and difficult, with a grating in the throat, — -the eye 
lost its brilliancy, — the head dropped, — it raised a sharp cry, apd 
