The conclusion to be arrived at is this-that the poison produced by the morbid condition of the spheno-palatine gan glion in a dog is capable of producing a similar condition of the spheno-palatine ganglion in man, by the inoculation of the poison.

Certain Medicines produce certain Effects on the Organic Nervous System, whether applied Externally or administered Internally. "Belladonna."

When belladonna is applied round the eyelids, the pupil is dilated. The iris is supplied with organic nerves exclusively; hence it is clear the belladonna acts on the organic nerves of the capillary arteries, and the glands in which these nerves terminate. Belladonna applied over the stomach, or round the nipple, or applied to the os uteri, or introduced into the rectum, will produce dilatation of the pupil, by its action on the organic nerves of these parts. Belladonna, when taken internally, acts on the organic nerves of the stomach; dilatation of the iris follows. It is evident, from what has been just stated, that belladonna acts on the organic nerves wherever applied, and simultaneously on the whole organic nervous system.

"Opium."

When opium is taken into the stomach, contraction of the pupil takes place; when opium is applied to a part denuded of the cuticle by a blister, contraction of the pupil is the result; when opium is introduced into the rectum, contraction of the pupil is the result; when opium is injected in a state of solution under the skin, contraction of the pupil follows. The opium has the same influence over the organic nervous system wherever applied, and must act on the whole organic nervous system at the same time.

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When strychnine is taken into the stomach, tetanic spasm the muscles is the result; when the cuticle is removed by the application of a blister, and strychnine applied to the abraded

surface, tetanic spasm is the result; when strychnine is introduced into the rectum, tetanic spasm is the result. Strychnine is followed by the same effects on the organic nervous system wherever applied, and embraces the whole organic nervous system by its action.

"Tobacco."

When tobacco is taken into the stomach, it induces intense nausea, as well as great prostration and relaxation of the muscular system. When given as an enema, it produces the same effects. When applied to the head, it produces similar effects. The tobacco acts on the organic nervous system wherever applied, and on the whole organic nervous system at once.

"Arsenic."

When arsenic is taken into the stomach, it produces intense burning, extreme thirst, constriction in the throat, with vomiting and purging. When arsenic is applied to remove a cancer, or as a local application in cutaneous diseases, or introduced into the retum, it is followed by the same symptoms or effects on the organic nervous system. It extends its action to the whole organic nervous system at the same time.

"Acetate of Lead."

A solution of GOULARD'S extract dropped on an inflamed conjunctiva will cause contraction of the organic nerves surrounding the capillary arteries.

Lead applied in the form of white paint to a scalded surface will cause contraction of the organic nerves surrounding the capillary arteries.

Lead administered internally in uterine hæmorrhage, or in hæmoptysis, or hæmorrhage from the bowels, causes contraction of the organic nervous system wherever distributed.

Explanation.

The lead acts as an irritant on the organic nerves surrounding the capillary arteries, causing contraction of the vessels, closing their mouths, preventing the ingress of blood into them; thus

arresting the circulation of the blood in the capillaries, and consequently not only arresting hæmorrhage, but preventing the occurrence of the sequelæ consequent on an increased action of the organic nerves surrounding the capillary arteries, or what is commonly called inflammation.

Proofs that Lead acts as an Irritant on the Organic Nervous System.

The "dropped hand" that painters are afflicted with affords a proof that lead acts as an irritant on the organic nervous system, and causes rigid contraction of the muscles. A matter any one can satisfy himself of who attempts to extend the thumb and fingers of the "dropped hand," when he will find that opposition from the pronators and flexors impede his efforts to extend the fingers. In this case the supinators and extensors are in a normal state, whilst the flexors and pronators are in a state of spasm.

Medicines or Agents applied at distant Parts of the Body followed by the same Effects as if introduced into the Stomach, in consequence of their being conveyed into the Blood by the Capillary Veins and Lymphatics.

When a person takes a certain quantity of calomel in the course of the day, after some time his gums will get tender, and the secretions from the salivary glands will be largely increased.

When a certain quantity of mercurial ointment is rubbed in the groin or to the calf of the leg for some days, a spongy state of the gums and salivary secretion will set in.

When a cinnabar is applied in the form of fumigation to the nose, after the lapse of a certain interval a spongy state of the gums and salivary secretion will be the result.

When a person is exposed to the vapors of mercury in mines or factories, a spongy state of the gums and salivation will be produced.

When a man is put under the influence of mercury in a badly-ventilated ward, he is liable to be attacked with eryth

ema.

Explanation.

When a person is daily taking calomel, the mercury is brought in contact with the mesenteric glands. The glands become impregnated with the mercury, and impart it to the venous blood; the mercury is also taken up by the lacteals, lymphatics, and carried by the throacic duct into the venous circulation, which conveys it into the lungs, where the blood is oxygenized. The blood is conveyed next to the heart, from whence it is distributed to all parts of the body by the arteries, and to the glands, on the union of the oxygen with the latter; the organic glands of the salivary glands being more susceptible to the action of the mercury, become irritated, and make an effort to throw off the poison by the secretion of saliva.

When mercurial ointment is applied to the groin or calf of the leg, after some time the organic glands become imbued with the mercury; the blood becomes impregnated with the mercury, and is carried by the veins and lymphatics to the right side of the heart, from thence to the lungs; it is next conveyed to the left side of the heart, and from thence by the arteries all over the body, and to the glands, on the union of the oxygen with the former; the salivary glands give evidence of irritation, by their effort to remove the poison by the process of secretion.

When fumigation is had recourse to, the organic glands, in the SCHNEIDERIAN membrane, become imbued with the mercury; the blood next becomes imbued with the mercury, and the salivary glands give evidence of irritation, in the manner already described.

When a man is exposed to the vapors of mercury in factories or mines, the vapor, being immaterial, is mixed with the air, passes into the blood with the oxygen, and is given off to the organic glands, on the union of the oxygen with them. After a certain interval the organic glands of the salivary glands endeavor to remove the poison in the manner already stated; namely, by the secretion of saliva.

Mercurial erythema is now a rare occurrence; formerly, when mercury was administered indiscriminately, it was of very frequent occurrence, particularly in what were called the "foul wards" of an hospital, where patients suffering under syphilis were using mercury in every shape and form, and where the atmosphere was poisoned by human effluvia and mercurial vapors. The mercurial vapor passes with the oxygen into the blood, poisons the glands, precisely in the manner as described in small-pox, typhus fever, and intermittent fever. The papillæ or vesicles which characterize the eruption indicate the efforts of the organic nervous system to throw off the poison by the process of secretion.

"Arsenic."

When arsenic is taken into the stomach, it causes intense burning, extreme thirst, constriction in the throat, vomiting, followed by purging, and great prostration of the organic nervous system.

When arsenic is applied to a cancer of the lip or elsewhere for too long a period, or when too great a quantity is applied at once, symptoms of poisoning by arsenic will present themselves.

When a lotion containing arsenic is applied for too long a period, with a view of curing a cutaneous eruption, symptoms of poisoning by arsenic may be anticipated.

When a man is employed in a paint factory where arsenic forms one of the chief ingredients in the paint, he may have symptoms of poisoning by arsenic, besides being afflicted with the loss of his nails, and having irritable ulcers on his fingers.

Explanation.

When arsenic is taken into the stomach, it acts as a direct irritant on the organic nerves of the stomach; the arsenic is found imbedded in the mucous membrane of the stomach, and consequently is in contact with the organic nerves. The arsenic acts as an irritant on the glands, which irritation is propagated to the nerves surrounding the capillary arteries, and to the muscular fibres of the stomach, through their connection