On the characters, actions, and therapeutic uses of the ordeal bean of Calabar, (Physostigma venenosum, Balfour) : a graduation thesis, for which a gold medal was awarded by the Edinburgh University, August 1862 / by Thomas R. Fraser.

  • Fraser, Sir Thomas Richard, 1841-1920.
Date:
1863
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the characters, actions, and therapeutic uses of the ordeal bean of Calabar, (Physostigma venenosum, Balfour) : a graduation thesis, for which a gold medal was awarded by the Edinburgh University, August 1862 / by Thomas R. Fraser. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    19/48 (page 17)
    connexion of tlie symptoms and appearances after deatli with the known phenomena of fatal results from other causes. That the action of tliis agent is not primarily exerted on the heart is very apparent in that class of cases where death followed small fatal doses. For, 1st, It must be evident that if the paralysis were dej^endent on any cessation of the necessary supply of blood from a failing of the heart's action, this symptom could not exist without marked effects being produced in other parts of the system, and more especially in the encephalon. Indeed, the functions of the brain proper would be affected even previous to those of'tlie spinal cord. 2d, After moderate and even pretty large doses, the heart has been found contracting at the rate of from 50 to 60 beats in the minute in rabbits (Experiments 1, 2, 5, etc.). This diminished action cannot be regarded as a cause of the final insensibility, as it is well known that a greater diminution may take place with • scarcely any symptoms. 3c?, It has been shown by various investigators, as Dr Cormack,^ that where death is caused by a neurotic poison paralyzing the heart's action, the respiratory movements may continue a short time after the cardiac paralysis. We may exclude any influence originating in the encephalon by the complete absence of any symptom which could be referred to the brain. We therefore conclude that in certain cases this agent produces death by asphyxia. It also occasions death, when large doses are given, by the symp- toms of syncope, as has been proved'by the investigation of Professor Christison.^ Dr Christison found that large doses produced languor, muscular flaccidity, and the cessation of respiration, with the preservation as far as could be judged, of sensation and consciousness. The heart was found after death completely paralyzed, and the right and left chambers contained blood of different coloui's. These symptoms were also observed in my experiments, and conclusively prove that death is sometimes produced by syncope (Experiments 13 15 26, etc.). ' ' If the deductions I have made in reference to a spinal action of the bean be al owed, and if the absence of mental phenomena have the import l have ascribed to it, it appears probable that this syncope IS m reality caused by a rapid and enfergetic action of the bean on the sp„,al cord. It has been shown by Legallois^ and Dr Phi hp Wilson,nhat when an agent acts on the spinal cord in a partial and somewhat slow manner, it may destroy tlie function of the cord without influencing, or at least without directly para- ^ Tre.itise on Creosote. 1836. 2 Monthly Medical Journal, vol. xx. 1855 8 Exp. sur Ic Principe de la Vie. 1812 * Inquiry into the Laws of the AHtal Functions