108
numbers in the blood as found previous to the injection. The animal had quite returned
to its normal condition. On the morning of the ninth day of the disease, the organism was
absent from the blood, but œdema was present, lying subcutanequsly along the course of
the trachea and on either side of it, and spreading over the pectoral muscles. It was
also well marked at the seat of the injection of the Liq: Ammoniæ. On the tenth, the
hæmatozoa were numerous, and on the eleventh day they had increased to very numerous.
Consequently 12 c. c. of a Oleum Terebinthinæ were injected into the trachea; after seven or
. eight minutes the animal showed signs of colicky pains, which however quickly subsided.
There was increased peristalsis, and an escape of flatus per anum. Temp. P.M. 39.5°C.
On the following morning the temperature had fallen 1.3°C., but the organism remained
the same in point of its numbers in the blood. On the thirteenth day of the disease, 8 c. c.
of the same medicament were injected into the trachea. A short time subsequently a
small drop of blood was drawn from the thin integument of the muzzle sufficient to make
three cover-glass specimens, and then the part was pressed to obtain a further drop. On
microscopical examination all the three specimens obtained from the first sample of the
blood contained the hæmatozoon, but in those made from the last drawn, although
submitted to careful microscopical examination, the hæmatozoon was entirely absent. It
would thus appear that all the organisms had, on the injection of the Oleum Terebinthinæ,
left the large vessels, and collected in the superficial capillaries. As for the next three
days following; the last exhibition of the drug, the organism had increased considerably,
instead of having become reduced in numbers, this treatment was not persisted in.
Potassii Bichromas.—A solution of this drug possesses the power of harden-
ing animal tissues when immersed in it. In * Mammals, it is said to cause
vomiting, diarrhoea, and bloody stools, great feebleness, and general clonic
movements. In rabbits and guinea-pigs, convulsions and paralysis occur,
chiefly affecting the posterior limbs. Post-mortem,—A red colouration of the
muscles is observed, and the gastric and intestinal mucous membranes are
congested.
Orfila observes: " Dans ses experiences sur les animaux, est arrive, avec d'
assez petites doses de K 2 Cr 2 O 7 á determine la mort."
Orfila and Christison.—" Le bichromate de K paralyse le Cœur,"
Gmelin.— " Une action paralysante sur le systeme nerveux,"
Cumin.—" Tue.en frappant de mort les globules sanguins."
In my own case, no symptom of any kind was produced by the direct
injection of five grains into the general circulation, and the chemical had no
effect upon the Surra hæmatozoon. This dose was followed on the third day by
seven and a half grains, and on the fourth day by eleven grains, administered in
a similar manner; but again no untoward symptoms resulted, except at the seat
of the injection, where a localized oedema was produced. Owing to this compli-.
cation, the further exhibition of the medicament was restricted to gastric in-
gestion; 2378.5 grains were administered to the animal in a period of sixteen
days, without affecting its appetite and without producing any marked effect
upon the organism in the blood.
Potass : Bichromate.
Case No. XV.—On the third day of the disease with a temperature of 38.6°C, and the
hæmatozoa very numerous in the blood, five grains (0.33
gramme) of Potass Bichromate in water were injected directly
into the Jugular "Vein. That evening the temperature remained at the same height as that
registered in the morning before the operation, but on the fourth day it had risen to 39.9°C.,
but the hæmatozoon had not altered in numbers. On the morning of the fifth day, the tem-
perature was 39.5°C., and the organisms were numerous in the blood. Seven and a half
grains (0.5 gramme) were again administered in the same way as the previous dose, and
this was followed next day by eleven grains (0.73 gramme) given as before. On the
seventh day, the organism was absent from the blood, but the same degree of temperature
was maintained, On the morning of the eighth day, the thermometer registered 37.7°C.,
a fall of two degrees Centigrade from the previous night, and the organism had re-appeared
with blood. No bad symptoms had been produced by the exhibiting of the drug so far,
with the exception of a local oedema at the seat of the injection. But as it became evident
that a much larger close must be given, and if possible gradually increased, it was deemed
advisable to administer the drug by the mouth. Consequently on the ninth day of the
disease, one drachm (4 grammes) of Potass Bichromate was given in a pint of water. On
the day following the temperature had risen, and the hæmatozoa were numerous in the
blood, and although during a period of five days from the tenth to the fifteenth day
inclusive, 280 grains or (18.6 grammes) were administered, nevertheless, the organisms
remained numerous in the blood, and the temperature steadily rose. During the fifteenth
* Lander Brunton, loc. cit, p. 616, 3rd edition.