ALLAYING THE IRRITATION IN CHRONIC ECZEMA. 141 
so that the cornea could be punctured without pain. The 
eye of a dog has been narcotized, so that the recti muscles 
could be divided painlessly. Five other experiments (minor), 
on ears of rabbits or dogs, were all successful. Two experi¬ 
ments, one of tying the femoral, and another of amputation 
of the leg, both in dogs, were good, but were not entirely 
without pain. In one of these cases (the amputation) the 
poles were removed too soon; in the second, the battery got 
out of gear. 
“The drawback at present is the time required. At this 
moment an hour is needed to cause deep anaesthesia. This 
difficulty may very likely be removed by increasing the che¬ 
mical force of the electric current, and by finding a better 
solution than the one which has been used—namely, chloro¬ 
form and aconite. These are matters of detail; the principle 
is established, and it is one of high importance and of great 
promise.” 
FAT AN ANTIDOTE TO POISONING BY STRYCHNIA. 
Pin dell states that half a grain of strychnia is sufficient 
to kill a dog, but three grains, when mixed with fat, will 
have no effect. Twenty experiments were performed by 
him. In eleven strychnia was given alone, and death re¬ 
sulted in every case. In the remaining nine the agent was 
mixed with fat, and it proved innocuous. 
By the above we are reminded that in copper smelting 
works, where the workmen are exposed to the influence of 
arsenical vapours, a common expedient adopted by them, so 
as to guard against the injurious effects thereof, is to eat large 
quantities of fat bacon. 
APPLICATION POR ALLAYING THE IRRITATION IN CHRONIC 
ECZEMA AND IMPETIGO. 
Compounds of tar have long been held in high estimation 
for these skin affections. In the French hospitals they are 
now successfully employing the following: 
Purified tar, two or more parts. 
Glycerine, thirty parts, adding to them, while hot, starch, 
fifteen parts, and mixing them intimately together. 
This is stated to assuage the itching when all other means 
have failed, and to be an effectual astringent and resolvent. 
Moreover it is easily removed by water. 
