666 
TANNIN AS AN ANTIDOTE TO STRYCHNIA. 
As the result of many experiments performed on rabbits 
and dogs, Dr. Kurzak comes to the conclusion that tannin 
promptly administered is the best antidote in poisoning by 
strychnia. From twenty to twenty-five times the quantity 
of tannin is necessary ; but even a larger amount should be 
administered, as the contents of the stomach, and especially 
gelatine, may absorb a portion. Tannin is the more eligible 
a remedy, inasmuch as it is easily procurable in the shape of 
gall-nuts. A portion may be rapidly reduced to powder and 
administered in water, while an infusion or decoction is pre¬ 
pared. For every grain of strychnia at least two and a half 
drachms of the gall-apples should be given. It will, indeed, 
be most prudent to administer a still larger quantity, 
especially when vomiting occurs. The experiments made by 
the author with green tea show that this also possesses a certain 
amount of efficacy ; but, as it requires to be administered in 
such large doses, it becomes itself almost a poison. It can, 
therefore, only be of use when a very small quantity of 
strychnia has been taken, or as a mere adjuvatory. Coffee 
exerts still less effect. OaJc-barJc, containing 8*5 per cent, of 
tannic acid, may be advantageously used when the oak-apples 
are not accessible; and various other substances containing 
tannin, as acorns, horse-chestnut-bark, green-walnut-shelh 
&c. Vegetable acids must be avoided during the treatment 
of strychnia poisoning by tannin, as they favour the solution 
of the resulting precipitate. The same caution applies to 
alcoholic drinks. As the experiments have shown that active 
efforts increase or even induce the convulsions in strvchnia 
9 / 
poisoning, every care in treating the accident must be taken 
to avoid all such movements or any powerful stimulation.— 
Zeitschrift der Aerzte zu Wien , No. xi. 
PHYSIOLOGY OE DROWNING. 
M. Beau has recently laid before the French Academy an 
account of his experiments on this subject, made upon dogs. 
He gives as the result his belief that the death of the drowned 
has the greatest resemblance to that which happens in con¬ 
sequence of tetanic affections of the nerves of respiration.— 
Comjotes Rendus. 
