68 
was made in the thigh. of a dog, into 
which were dropped eight grams of the 
juice. The dog soon began to vomit, 
and continued vomiting at intervals til 
he became convuised, and died in twenty 
minutes. Six grains were put into the 
thigh of another, which was seized with 
the same symptoms, and died in fifteen 
minutes. A cat was treaied in like man- 
ner, but the effects were more speedy 
and powerful: she expired in a few mi- 
nutes. All these animals died howling, 
and in great agony. ‘he author also 
mace several experiments on the effects 
of this potson when applied .internally. 
A grain and a half being introduced into 
the stomach of a dog, produced only a 
slight purging. To another were given 
four graius, which, in about four hours, 
produced the same effect, together with 
vomiting, and the dog died in the course 
of half a day. On examining the bodies 
of these animals after death, no very 
extraordinary appearances were disco- 
vered; the ventricles of the heart were 
full of blood, and some slight traces of 
inflammation appeared in the stomach; 
but the derangement was not so great as, 
might have been expected from such a 
violent and sudden death: From. this 
circumstance the author concluded that 
the absorbents had transmitted the poi- 
son to the nerves of the stomach, and 
that this peculiar species of vegetable 
oison acts exclusively on the nerves. 
Mr. Rrcuarp WaLkeEpr, of Oxford, 
having been for a long time engaged in 
thermometrical experiments. and obser- 
vations, during which the imperfection 
of all the scales.in use frequently occurred 
to hiin, has proposed a new one. It is 
founded cn the principle of 62°. of Fah- 
renbeit, being the pomt at which the 
human body in a state of health, is un- 
onscious of either heat or cold, that is, 
in a state of rest, or when free from any 
bodily exertion; so that any temperature 
above 62°. shall give a sensation of heat, 
and ary temperature below that point, a 
sensation of cold. Mr. Wilson accord- 
ingly places O at 62°. of Fahrenheit, 
which will make 150°. the boiling, and 
minus 80°. the freezing point of water. 
Ali other points-on Fahrenheit’s scale 
may be reduced to this, by subtracting 
62°. for any degree above 0 of Fabren- 
heit’s, and adding 62°. for any degree 
below 0. Fakrenheit’s divisions are a- 
copted in this new scale as most conve- 
pieut; those of Reaumur, the centigrade, 
&c. being considered too few, and deci- 
wial diviglons unnecessary. | etal 
Literary and Philosophical Intelligence. 
= 
[Aug.: I, 
During some experiments’ recently 
made by Messrs. CurHBertTson and 
SinGer, on the comparative powers of. 
cylinder and plate electrical machines, 
it was found that their power may be 
greatly increased by the adoption of mul- 
uplying wheels to communicate motion: 
to those instruments. From the obser. 
vations hitherto made on this subject, 
there is reason to conclude, that by the 
proper application of a moving power, 
the quantity of electricity given out by: 
any machine in a determinate time, may 
be doubled, trebled. quadrupled, and 
even increased six or ten-fold. The dis- 
tovery of this principle is of the bighest: 
importance, as it offers the most effectual 
and ready means of ontainiag a very 
considerable accumulation of electric 
fluid; a circumstance of considerable in- 
terest in the present state of electrical 
and chemical inquiry. 
During the last session of parliament, 
an act was passed'to enable the governors 
of Bethlem Hospital to exchange the 
present contracted site of that institution, 
for a piece of ground containing near 
twelve acres, in St. George’s Fields, on 
which spot the unhappy subjects of men- 
tal derangement will, in addition to their 
former advantages, possess the superior 
requisites of air and exercise, whieh they 
have never yet enjoved, and which are 
not only likely to add-in a considerable 
degree to their comfort, but also to ae- 
celerate their. cure. The plan of the 
ancient structure has long required im- 
provement; and it is hoped that from 
the great light which has been thrown 
upon the study of arclitecture within 
the last century, and tne extensive im- 
provements made in the science of me- 
dicine during the same period, the most 
favourable results for the new building 
will be obtained from the combined ta- 
lents of able architects, and experienced 
medical professors, With this view the 
governors have. offered 2001. for the best, 
1001. for the second, and 60l. for the 
third best designs; in the full confidence 
of being adequately assisted in their 
anxious desires to erect an hospital, which 
may be at once a monument of a bene- 
volent and enlightened age, and an ho- 
nour to a great and distinguished natien, 
The present intention is to erect a build- 
ing capable of containing 400 patients, 
but not to confine themselves even to 
that ‘enlarged number, if they shall be 
enabled, by the liberality of the public, 
to proceed farther in their design. - The 
funds of the hospital, whieh are appli-. 
