An experimental enquiry into the effects produced by hydrocyanic acid upon animal life, with an aattempt to determine the real value of presumed antidotes and remedies.

  • Nunneley, Thomas, 1809-1870.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An experimental enquiry into the effects produced by hydrocyanic acid upon animal life, with an aattempt to determine the real value of presumed antidotes and remedies. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Leeds Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Leeds Library.

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    galvanism applied immediately it fell; muscles all rigid; urine passed; heart ceased to beat in five minutes; the jaws opened and shut, as did the eyelids, as the connection of the wires was made and broken. In fifteen minutes the battery produced very little convulsion, the rigidity not having extended beyond the head after the first twelve minutes; one pole was applied within the anus, the other within the eyelids, ear, mouth, fauces, or nostrils; the appearance of life, beyond the convulsions ordinarily produced by the battery, did not continue longer than where nothing is done. In twenty minutes scarcely any effect was produced,—not nearly so much as in No. 29. In two hours not the least effect, at which time the jaws were very firmly fixed, and the muscles, especially those of the back, were excessively rigid. There was no howling. No. 27.—Small terrier bitch. Gave thirty minims of acid in two drachms of water: she only moved a step or two, seemed paralyzed at once; howled slightly; galvanism applied in thirty seconds; muscles instantly very rigid ; eyes excessively prominent and red, as was the mouth; so long as the connection was maintained the jaw was closed, when broken, it fell; urine expelled during rigidity, at two minutes and a half; heart ceased to beat in five minutes. No. 28.—A very large strong savage bull bitch; she had pupped about sixteen hours before. She was so strong and violent that she had knawn through an inch and a-half plank to which she was fastened. Gave fifteen minims of acid in two drachms of water; not quite the whole was swallowed: when set down she fell, but immediately got up again, hung her head, breathed quickly and hard, ran about, staggered, and fell forwards; she tried hard to get up, but could not raise herself; she then fell upon the side and was still; galvanism applied in less than a minute. This rendered the muscles stiff and rigid, especially as the con- nection was made; pupils not fully dilated; head drawn backwards, and the mouth shut and opened as the connection was made and broken; respiration very quick and sighing; in two minutes she evidently felt the galvanism: the jaws were so firmly closed upon the wire that it could not be withdrawn while the connection was kept up; in four minutes she could see the wires, she tried to move the head away as they were brought near; in eight minutes she was able to get up, she walked about a yard and then stood still, as though she was afraid of falling, being scarcely able to