ME. J. PETBSTLEY ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION OF VANADIUM. 501 
Body sprawls; legs appear to be paralyzed, as also the whole body; 
gasping, beak open ; eye insensitive. 
The pigeon must have died soon after. The post mortem examination 
was not made until 10.30 the following morning. 
Post mortem Examination. 
On cutting through the skin over the throat dark maroon-coloured extra- 
vasations were noticed. Heart slightly distended. 
Liver normal, or perhaps slightly congested. 
Pancreas normal. 
(Esophagus above the gizzard is tilled with a green fluid matter and is 
also congested. Duodenum for 1 inch below the gizzard is much congested. 
The congestion then suddenly ceases (just where the pancreas is situated), 
but recommences about 2 inches lower down with great intensity. At 
this point the intestine becomes filled with brown mucous contents con- 
taining blood-corpuscles, epithelial cells, and granular bodies. The conges- 
tion becomes less marked as the intestine is traced towards the rectum, but 
increases again in the latter division of the alimentary tract. The crop is 
not markedly congested and is empty ; the oesophagus below it is filled with 
green mucous contents. 
Gizzard normal. 
In this experiment we notice that the poison began manifestly to act within 2 hours 
15 minutes of the time of injection; that the first symptoms were drowsiness, and an 
action on the alimentary canal as indicated by the sanguineous fluid faeces ; that finally 
paralysis of motion occurred ; that the alimentary canal was intensely congested in 
portions ; that the lower portion was filled with brownish contents containing blood- 
corpuscles. 
On Guineapigs. 
Exp. XIII. — December 3, 1873. 
Weight 632 grms. 
Dose 2 cubic centims. of the 5 per cent, solution (100 milligrammes V 2 0 5 ), 
h. m. injected under the skin of the back. 
2 25. Injection completed. 
Quiet; seemed inclined to eat; but did not take the green food presented 
to it. 
2 30. Appears quite normal and at ease. 
2 45. Not quite so lively ; does not stir when the hand is placed near it ; manifests 
desire to hide itself beneath the hay in the observation-chamber. 
2 50. Quiet, but otherwise normal. 
3 0. Evinces great desire to hide itself under the hay or in a corner. Is indisposed 
