On the detection of aconite by its physiological action : being notes of experiments made in connection with the trial of Dr. E.W. Pritchard / by Frederick Penny and James Adams.

Date:
1865
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the detection of aconite by its physiological action : being notes of experiments made in connection with the trial of Dr. E.W. Pritchard / by Frederick Penny and James Adams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    several yarcb, occasionally striking in a regardless manner at'ainst obstacles. The head continued violently retracted, the nostrils expanded, but the breathing was becoming gradually slower and feebler, and still performed in a laborious manner. At intervals it lay on its side in a very prostrate condition. After 57 minutes, there occurred marked opisthotonic convulsions, followed by extreme prostration, the animal lying on its side— the limbs and muscles of chest relaxed, but the head always stiffly retracted. After 60 minutes, while lying exbausted it was quite sensitive to the ears and legs being pulled or squeezed hard, and under continued and active rousing it was capable of making efforts to get away, but quite incapable of regaining the upright posture. After 1 hour 35 minutes, it contiiiued lying on its side in the same helpless condition—the breathing slow, dis- tressed, and quite audible. After 2 hours 30 minutes, it discharged urine witli force. After 2 hours 35 minutes, sharp convulsions occurred, at termination of which the animal rolled over on its back—tlie fore paws extended in air, the head stiffly retracted, tlie nostrils expanded, the breathing laborious. After 3 hours 25 minutes, no change in condition, excepting that the respira- tion became gradually feebler and slower, being 10 per minute. After 3 hours 30 minutes, violent opisthotonic convulsions occurred, accompanied with choking cries, and followed by death. The limbs immediately became flaccid, and the pupil, which was con- tracted, began to dilate. Rigor mortis was complete, 40 minutes after death. ba.ttley's solution, with tinctuee of aconite. Expt. No. 24.—Eighteen grains of Battley's solution, mixed with one and a half grains Fleming's tincture of aconite, both by weight, were injected under the skin of the back of a large and very strong buck rabbit. It moved about with customary activity for 5 minutes, when it lay prone on its belly. During the next 25 minutes, it occasionally shifted its position in an uneasy manner. After 30 minutes, it lay in same position, disinclined to move,breat]i- ing slowly, audibly, and with deep fetches. After 40 minutes, retching movements occurred. The head was maintained in a retracted position. Occasionally it moved a few paces in a crawling manner—staggered, and then came to a stop. After 50 minutes, salivation was observed, but no twitching of lips or chewing movements of jaw. At times spasmodic twitches affected the limbs, and the animal braced itself, as if to avoid falling. After 65 minutes, the breathing was very laborious and slow, being 10 per minute; the nostrils were widely expanded, and the head retracted. After 85 minutes, salivation continued, and the animal was much disinclined to move, but, when lifted, used its muscles