A small drop of the oil was rubbed upon the tongue of a large cat.
Immediately the animal uttered piteous cries and began to froth at
the mouth.
In 1 minute the pupils of the eyes were dilated and the
respiration was laborious.
" 2-1/2 do. vomiting and staggering.
" 4 do. evacuations; the cries continued, the voice
hoarse and unnatural.
" 5 do. repeated attempts at vomiting.
" 7 do. respiration somewhat improved.
At this time a large drop was rubbed upon the tongue. In an instant
the eyes were closed, the cries were stopped, and the breathing was
suffocative and convulsed. In one minute the ears were in rapid
convulsive motion, and, presently after, tremors and violent convulsions
extended over the body and limbs. In three and an half minutes the
animal fell upon the side senseless and breathless, and the heart had
ceased to beat.
Slight tremors of the voluntary muscles, particularly of the limbs,
continued, more or less, for nineteen minutes after the animal was dead.
Those of the right side were observed to be more and longer affected
than those of the left.
Half an hour after death the body was opened, and the stomach and
intestines were found to be contracted and _firm_, as from a violent
and permanent spasm of the muscular coat. The lungs were empty and
collapsed. The left side of the heart, the aorta and its great branches
were loaded with black blood. The right side of the heart and the two
cavæ contained some blood, but were not distended. The pulmonary artery
contained only a small quantity of blood. The blood was every where
fluid.