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.

Frederick Penny

Date:: 1865

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 University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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$minutes, when it couched, but almost instantly got up again, show- ing signs of uneasiness. During the next 5 minutes it was very restless, shifting its position as if under sudden impulses. At the end of 10 minutes it placed itself in a position half couching, but the body not resting on the ground ; the head was retracted, the paws spread as if grasping the floor; the tail incurved, and the whole attitude expressive of alarm. (Fig. 2.) An active twitching of the lips and chewing motion of the jaws began. After 13 minutes, faint gasping cries were uttered, the breathing became laborious and performed with deep fetches, and distinctly audible. After 38 minutes, copious salivation began. The animal frequently shifted its position, generally with one movement, and only a few inches at a time. The head was kept continually upright, and somewhat retracted. After 48 minutes, the t\yitching and chewing motion of the jaws and lips, the salivation, the occasional utterance of faint cries, and the retracted position of the head, continued prominent symptoms. But the animal's con- dition was otherwise improving—the breathing was less laboured, and at intervals it ran about actively, coming occasionally to an abrupt stop, sitting up on its haunches, and carrying on actively the chewing motions for a few seconds. After one hour and a quarter it had nearly recovered its ordinary condition. Expt. No. 17.—Four grains Fleming's tincture of aconite, was injected between the skin and muscles of the back of a large brown buck rabbit. It immediately displayed lively agitation, shifting its position incessantly, and frequently licking the wound made in its back by the injecting needle, which this time seemed to have found an extra-sensitive spot. At the end of 8 minutes, it fell or threw itself prostrate on its flank, with hind legs extended far from body, but speedily got up again and continued its active uneasy movements. After 13 minutes, it placed itself m the peculiar position described in preceding experiment; the twitching of jaws commenced and the head was retracted, with at same time a marked aspect of alarm. After 17 minutes, it uttered choking cries —the nostrils expanded, and the respiration was performed with laborious catches. The motions of the animal continued untiringly active. After 22 minutes, active salivation was manifest. Alter 35 minutes, there was extreme retraction of head. The animal continued still actively moving about, but in a paralyzed manner, occasionally staggering and falling on its flank. At intervals it seemed to be delirious, and made violent strugglmg effoi-ts to force itself through openings in the basket cage in which it was confined. These efforts were made in spasmodic rushes, some- times a spring being made from the prone posture. .^^ ^/^n suc- cessful in forcing itself through an opening the animal darted wildly forward with a floundering staggering movement tor$