The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-11 00:00:00

PRUSSIC ACID.

With a view to complete the theory of
anaesthetics, M. Ozanam some time ago insti-
tuted a series of experiments on prussic or
hydrocyanic acid in a gaseous state, the results of
which he has now laid before the Academy of
Sciences. His chief object was the demonstra-
tion of this general law, viz., that all volatile or
gaseous matter having carbon for one of its consti-
tuents has anaesthetic properties in proportion to
the carbon it contains ; and this law is verified in
the highest degree by hydrocyanic acid. In its
most concentrated state death of course is instan-
taneous, but when diluted in the ratios of 1 to 5, 1
to 20, 1 to 40, or 1 to 100, its effects are of various
intensity. The temperature must be taken into
account, since prusSic acid boils at 27 degrees cen-
tigrade (80.6 Fahr.), and emits Tapours in propor-
tion to the heat of the weather ; M. Ozanam's ex-
periments were therefore conducted under tem-
peratures of between 5 and 10 degrees centigrade
(41 and 50 Fahr.) If attenuated to 1-40th, hydro-
cyanic acid produced, when' inhaled, much the
same degree of anaesthesia, as oxado of carbon, and
at 1-100th that of carbonic acid ; but this state can-
not be prolonged, as in the case of the latter—the
inhalation must be stopped the moment the first
signs of the action of the acid appear. The animal
being then left to itself, the three stages of anaes-
thesia, viz., excitation, collapse, and a return to
consciousness, succeed each other as usual. But if
the inhalations be continued to the second period of
coma, death is the inevitable consequence. The
stage of excitement is marked by such violent to
tame shocks that the animal is often projected to a
distance of several feet ; the heart beats with great
rapidity, and respiration is interrupted by muscular
contractions. This state lasts from 30 to 60 secs„
when the collapse connnenws, the eyeballs are ra-
pidly dilated, the eyes protrude from their sockets,
a
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insensibility,
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tod sharpa
rouseilll s tthie 1
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slight shock is sufficient to cause a renewal of
the convulsions. During this period the action
of breathing only manifests itself by hiccups at
long intervals ; the pulsations of the heart are rare
and weak. By degrees, if too large a quantity of
the acid has not been inhaled* the circulation be-
comes more regularl and there only remains an
anaesthetic
slninber which lasts from 5 to 15 mi-
nutes, After this there is a slow return to sensi-
bility, the animal begins to move its fore legs first
and its hind legs afterwards, about 25 minutes after
the commencement of the experiment, it returns to
its previous normal state, When death has boon
produced by excessive inhalation, the blood, on
opening the body, is found to be black, but it soon
turns red again in the air, The smell of bitter
almonds, which the body at first exhales, disappears
in a short time, awl no trace of the acid can be dis-
covered, any test, Prussic acid would therefore
he-the only poison producing death without being
traceable, were it not that the microscope shows
the primitive nervous tubes broken in various places.
Sometimes also the lary
conclude his taper by nx and trachea are slightly-
inflamed. Ozanam
stat-
ing that Oxygen is an effectual antidote against
Prussic acid. Until restiration is entirely stopped,
oxygen may be successt lly.administered by inha-
lation, but must be administered for 10 or 12
14100 t least, else the symptono reappear.

FREE

'RANCE.

The Echo Agricole has the following remarks on
the consequences of the twofold application of the
principle of free trade in the butchers' trade in
Paris and in the importation of foreign cattle :
" Six months have elapsed since the butchers' trade
was declared free in Paris, and the tariff of meat
and the Caisse de Poissy were at the same time
suppressed. The throwing open of the butchers'
business has up to this time produced excellent
effects ; and it could not be otherwise at a period
when arrivals are easy and prompt, when the bases
of credit are perfectly established, and where the
consequences of free competition are known and
appreciated. At the time of the promulgation of
the decree (Ist March, 1858) throwing open the
trade, a general outcry was raised. by those who
are opposed to reforms and changes of all kinds,
that Paris would be inundated by a host of
butchers of the lowest class, who would only sup-
ply meat of the worst description, and that the pub-
lic would be positively poisoned, as all the exertions
of the police would be insufficient to prevent the
evil. In every memoir published on the question
at different periods under the inspiration of the
syndicate of the privileged butchers, and thes state-
ments were set forth. Nothing of the kind, how-
ever, has arisen from the reform • scarcely 10 new
butchers' shops have been opened, and though the
weather has been very hot during the last summer,
no complaint has been made of bad meat, nor have
the seizures been more numerous than previously.
During the approaching season a rise in the price
of meat may be naturally expected from the partial -
failure of the hay crop, and the consequent want of
forage, which has thrown great difficulties in the
way of breeders. This advance, when it takes
place, will doubtless, be attributedby the reactionary
party to free tradet, but we must beforehand pro-
test against such an inference. Throwing open the
trade could not cause the deficiency in the supply
of forage nor prevent the disease which, in many
parts of the country, has committed great ravages
among cattle. The decree which reduced the pro-
hibitive duties on the entry of foreign cattle into
France preceded by five years the throwing open
of the butchers' trade, having been issued in 1853.
Its effects may, therefore, be judged of. Whenever
a reduction in the import duties was talked of the
Protectionists raised a cry
.of alarin ; French agri-
culture was about to be ruined and annihilated ; it
was impossible that the French farmers could breed
and fatten cattle as cheaply as the Dutch and the
Germans, and the French markets would be inun-
dated with foreign cattle. The protective duties
which had been 50fr. per head, were reduced to
3fr., and during the five years that the new tariff has
been in force, if complaint has been made, it is that
so few foreign cattle have been imported. The re-
form in the prohibitive laws on the import and ex-
port of cattle has not caused any disturbance in the
agricultural interests of the country, notwithstand-
ing the predictions of its opponents, and the appli-
cation of the principles of free trade to butchers will
most probably not be attended with a worse effect."

COUNTRY 111.4RIETS.