272 poisons: their effects and detection. [§§ 330 , 331 . 
senior author made some years ago an investigation as to its action on 
the common- blow-fly. Droplets of coniine were applied to various parts 
of blow-flies, which were then placed under glass shades. The symptoms 
began within a minute by signs of external irritation : there were rapid 
motions of the wings, and quick and aimless movements of the legs. 
Torpor set in speedily, the buzz soon ceased, and the insects lay on 
their sides, motionless, but for occasional twitching of the legs. The 
wings, as a rule, became completely paralysed before the legs, and 
death occurred in a rather variable time, from ten minutes to two hours. 
If placed in a current of air in the sun, a fly completely under the 
influence of coniine may recover. Coniine causes in frogs, similarly 
to curarine, peripheral paralysis of the motor nerves, combined with 
a transitory stimulation, and afterwards a paralysis of the motor centres ; 
in frogs the paralysis is not preceded by convulsions. Dragendorff 
experimented on the action of coniine when given to five cats, the 
quantities used being *05 to -5 grm. The symptoms came on almost 
immediately, but with the smaller dose given to a large cat no effect 
was witnessed until twenty-five minutes afterwards ; this was the longest 
interval. One of the earliest phenomena was dilatation of the pupil, 
followed by weakness of the limbs passing into paralysis, the hind 
legs being affected prior to the fore. The respiration became troubled, 
and the frequency of the breathing diminished ; the heart in each 
case acted irregularly, and sensation generally was blunted ; death 
was preceded by convulsions. In the cases in which the .larger dose of 
•4 to *5 grm. was administered, death took place within the hour, one 
animal dying in eight minutes, a second in eighteen minutes, a third 
in twenty minutes, and a fourth in fifty-eight minutes. With the 
smaller dose of -051 grm. given to a large cat, death did not take place 
until eight hours and.forty-seven minutes after administration. 
§ 330. Effects on Man.— In a case recorded by Bennet, 1 and quoted 
in most works 011 forensic medicine, the symptoms were those of general 
muscular weakness deepening into paralysis. The patient had eaten 
hemlock in mistake for parsley ; in about twenty minutes he experienced 
weakness in the lower extremities, and staggered in walking like a drunken 
man ; within two hours there was perfect paralysis of both upper and 
lower extremities, and he died in three and a quarter hours. In another 
case, related by Taylor, the symptoms were also mainly those of 
paralysis, and in other instances stupor, coma, and slight convulsions 
have been noted. 
§ 331. Physiological Action. — It is generally agreed that coniine 
paralyses, first the ends of the motor nerves, afterwards their trunks, 
and lastly, the motor centre itself. At a later period the sensory nerves 
participate. In the earlier stage the respiration is quickened, the pupils 
1 Edin. Med. and Surg. Journ., July 1845, p. 100. 
