8G 
ox STRYCHNINE. 
dressed but when muzzled; and as for the sharp currycomb al¬ 
luded to by Mr. Clark, I thought that instrument was now neve'^ 
applied, except to rid the brush of dust, and to the farmer’s wag¬ 
gon-horse. 
[To be continued.] 
ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF STRYCHNINE GENE¬ 
RALLY, AND PARTICULARLY IN AMAUROSIS. . 
By Joseph Curtis, Esq., M.R.C.S. 
On perusing the last number of The VETERINARIAN, my 
attention was arrested by an account of an experiment upon an 
owl, with strychnia, in which you gave enormous doses Avithout 
producing much effect, until the day of his death, when he went off 
rather suddenl}'. You do not state in Avhat way you administered 
the medicine; but from the account, I suppose it was in substance. 
Strychnia is, I believe, at present very rarely given by human 
practitioners by the mouth, without being dissolved in acetic or 
some other acid. For, being insoluble, it will otherwise remain 
undigested and inactive in the stomach, until many doses have ac¬ 
cumulated ; when the patient, perhaps, taking with a meal some 
vinegar, the whole quantity is at once brought into action, and 
kills him. I believe death has occurred more than once to human 
beings in this Avay. 
You are in error in supposing strynchnia has not been tried upon 
human beings in cases of amaurosis. In the Lancet for 1830-1, 
vol. ii, p. 159, a case is related in Avhich a patient was cured of 
amaurosis, and in which strychnia Avas applied to a blistered sur¬ 
face on the temple. 
In the Lancet for 1834-5, vol. i, p, 917, is a very interesting 
case, Avith remarks by Dr. Fosbroke, in AAFich strychnia Avas used 
in the same way. 
In the Lancet for 1834-5, vol. ii, p. 789, a successful case; 
remedy applied in the same way. 
In the Lancet for 1836-7 and 1837-8, allusions are made to the 
use of strychnia in amaurosis, but no cases related. 
DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS IN CATTLE. 
By Mr. W. Rush, Harleston, Norfolk. 
Sir,—H aving a feAv cases of affection of the urinarv organs in 
neat stock on record, I forward them to your Journar: if similar 
cases are in any district, common, I should feel exceedingly obliged 
by a statement of their successful or unsuccessful treatment. 
