14 
ON STRYCHNIA. 
■V 
By Mr. W. J. T. Morton, Lecturer on Veterinary Materia 
Medica. 
The action of this alkaloid being at the present time a subject 
which appears to interest the members of the veterinary profes- 
sion, perhaps the following experiment will be acceptable to them, 
as illustrative of its effects upon the animal economy. 
Although highly instructive, from the influence of the agent 
having been so beautifully shewn, yet, I confess, I have no wish 
to repeat the experiment. The tortures which the animal en- 
perienced before death would deter me. With the exception of 
hydrocyanic acid, no poison that I have yet tried appears to be so 
energetic and appalling in its operation as this. 
Ten grains of strychnia, diffused in water, were given to a 
young and healthy ass. In ten minutes the animal appeared 
agitated, and rigors came on. These indications of the action of the 
poison were followed by a quickening of the pulse and the breath¬ 
ing, a loss of voluntary power, and this succeeded by involuntary 
convulsive movements. 
In fifteen minutes, tetanic symptoms began to be apparent. The 
jaws were opened, but with some difficulty; the muscles were 
rigid, and, when the head was elevated, the membrana nictitans 
was forced over the eye. The circulation was hurried, and the 
respiration laborious. These symptoms continued for a time, and 
gradually increased in urgency, when they passed off, and left the 
animal in a state of partial unconsciousness. The act of progres¬ 
sion was awkwardly performed, and he staggered about in his 
efforts to prevent himself from falling. 
At the termination of about the 20th minute, on elevating the 
head, he tumbled over backwards, and lay in a violent tetanic fit. 
All the muscles of the body appeared to be in a state of powerful 
contraction. The limbs were extended and forced wide apart—the 
neck bent backwards—the tail straightened and tremulous—the ears 
erect—the jaws firmly closed—and the eyes forcibly drawn within 
their orbits. The respiration became highly laboured, and the heart’s 
action very much increased. The violence of the paroxysm con¬ 
tinued for two or three minutes, and then followed a remission of this 
state of spasm. On raising the animal, he stood with extreine 
difficulty. The fore legs were placed wide apart and the hinder 
ones extended, so that he might gain mechanical support from the 
peculiarity of his position. 
After this he became enfeebled and very irritable. Any sudden 
