530 ME. J. PEIESTLEY ON THE PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION OE VANADIUM. 
were similar, except that the vagi remained intact (and the dose was slightly larger on 
account of the size of the rabbit), will show an almost exact similarity of symptoms. 
The slight divergence is, simply, that the general rapidity of pulse after injection in the 
experiment where the vagi were divided was greater than in the other — a circumstance 
which is explained by a consideration of the inhibitory functions of the vagus. 
In the next three experiments the object was to discover the effects of poisoning by 
vanadium upon animals whose cords had been divided. 
Exp. L.— June 23, 1874. 
Eabbit. — Weight 2370 grms. 
Dose 1 cub. centim. of the 5 per cent, solution (50 milligrammes 
Y 2 0 5 ), injected into the left external jugular vein. 
Time. 
Mean B. P. 
Pulse in 
10 seconds. 
Remarks. 
h. m. s. 
Tracheotomy: inserted metal tracheal tube; chloroform 
administered ; cord exposed high in the neck ; cannula 
inserted into vein for injection ; kymographic cannula 
inserted into the left femoral artery. 
5 2 0 
5 9 0 
76 
*75 cub. centim. of 1 per cent, solution of curare injected 
into the vein ; artificial respiration set up. 
5 12 0 
74 
54 
Heart-beats are shallow and rapid. 
5 12 45 
108 
51 
On raising the rabbit’s head with the purpose of dividing 
5 12 50 
78 
the cord, the blood-pressure went up suddenly, but fell 
again immediately. 
5 12 55 
Commenced to divide the cord. 
5 13 0 
128 
30 
On inserting the knife the blood-pressure rose at once. 
5 13 5 
Division of cord complete. 
5 13 30 
46 
After another slight rise the blood-pressure continued to 
5 14 30 
24 
descend until it stood steadily at about 22 millims. 
5 16 10 
22 
34 
The pulse, which had become imperceptible soon after 
section, now became more vigorous. 
5 16 40 
22 
37 
Injection of vanadate commenced. 
5 16 55 
22 
26 
Injection complete ; the pulse suddenly became less rapid 
and longer. 
5 17 10 
28 
24 
The blood-pressure rose with a steady sweep, the pulse 
5 17 30 
35 
18 
meanwhile becoming much more marked but less rapid. 
5 17 45 
38 
19 
5 18 0 
38 
18-19 
Erom this point the blood-pressure declined gradually until 
5 18 15 
30 
18 
the rabbit died, the pulse becoming very faint — too 
5 18 30 
5 18 45 
5 19 10 
25 
22 
20 
faint to be counted. 
In this experiment the effects of poisoning by vanadium upon the circulation appear 
to have been (1) to cause a steady rise of blood-pressure from 22 millims. to 38 millims., 
which took about 1 minute to develop, followed by a steady fall, death supervening 
when the pressure had attained its previous level ; (2) to cause a decline, first of all in 
