Observations and experiments with the microscope, on the chemical effects of chloral hydrate, chloroform, prussic acid, and other agents, on the blood / by Thomas Shearman Ralph.

  • Ralph, T. S. (Thomas Shearman), 1813-1892.
Date:
[1871?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations and experiments with the microscope, on the chemical effects of chloral hydrate, chloroform, prussic acid, and other agents, on the blood / by Thomas Shearman Ralph. 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.

    5/8 (page 5)
    Hydrate for some hours, when it was found hypnotic. Blood, nuclei of corpuscles appeared greenish, red particles also seen. Experiment 5.—Frog killed by Hydrate of Chloral, after some hours of sleep. Blood from heart decidedly tinged redder than usual; some corpuscles presented reddish dots on their surface ; red coloured masses were noticed all through the blood, as seen before. Experiment 6.—On self. Three grains of Hydrate of Chloral were taken about two hours after a meal; the blood was examined every quarter of an hour ; at the end of an hour it exhibited decided reaction ; blue as well as red particles were seen. When the blood had dried on the glass slide and under the covering glass (which was about two hours after), some spaces, where coagulation had taken place, were filled with fluid presenting either a blueish or reddish tint. The urine also exhibited some dark coloured and reddish particles. Experiment 7 and 8.—Two rats were killed, one by Chloroform, the other by Hydrate of Chloral, injected subcutaneously. This last ;took a grain and a half before deep sleep was induced. Blood exhibited ruby red particles ; a few blueish ; also starchy bodies in abundance. The urine also showed the same. The chloroformed rat.—Urine with abundance of starchy bodies, and some blue coloured particles; blood from lungs—plasma reddish; few starchy bodies; some blue particles; scarcely any reddish. Experiment 9.—Bat injected wfith Hydrate of Chloral. Deep hypnotism; blood gave the same results ; starchy bodies and red coloured masses. Ammonia inhaled appeared to increase the pro- duction of the red matter. A solution of Ammonia injected under the skin appeared to give rise to bright red smears, or fluidity, between the corpuscles. The blood, under the action of Ammonia, in both forms of exhibition, seemed to have assumed a redder tint than usual. Experiment 10.—A newly-born rat was placed in a solution of Hydrate of Chloral. After some hours the blood exhibited redness in the liquor sanguinis ; also some fine red particles and red patches. Experiment 11.—Hydrate of Chloral was evaporated from a slide on to fresh blood held over it; bright red coloured particles were formed in it. Experiment 12.—Blood exposed to the vapour of Chloroform gave some evidence of red coloured matter. It appeared to me, at this point of my experiments, that the chemical action of Hydrate of Chloral on the blood was mainly due to Formyl, or Formic Acid, produced by its decomposition. When more Ammonia was intro- duced into the experiment, a larger production of the red material resulted. Experiment 13.—Formic Acid (obtained from ants) added to blood gave rise to the formation of dark red globules and particles. Experiment 14.—Lactic Acid added to blood yielded red particles ; these appeared to increase on the addition of Prussic Acid ; the fluid or plasma appeared redder.