The general picture of the effects of fatal, but not excessive, doses given to dogs, cats, rabbits, &c., resembles closely that already described. The heart’s action is at first slowed, then becomes quick and irregular, there is dyspnœa, progressive paralysis of the muscular power, convulsions, and death in asphyxia. Vomiting is frequently observed, sometimes salivation, and very often dilatation of the pupil. Sometimes the latter is abnormally active, dilating and contracting alternately. Diarrhœa also occurs in a few cases. Vomiting is more frequent when the poison is taken by the mouth than when administered subcutaneously.[477]
[477] The more important physiological researches on the action of aconite are contained in the following works and papers:—
Fleming, A.—An Inquiry into the Physiological and Medicinal Properties of the Aconitum napellus, to which are added observations on several other species of aconite, 8vo, Lond., 1845.
Schulz, F. W.—De Aconitini Effectu in Organismum Animalium.
V. Praag.—Arch. f. Path. Anat., vii. p. 438, 1854.
Hottot, E.—De l’Aconitine et de ses Effets Physiologiques, 4to, Paris, 1863.
Achscharumow.—Arch. f. Anatom. u. Physiol., 1866.
Böhn.—Herzgifte, 1871.
Ewers, C.—Ueber die physiologischen Wirkungen des aus Aconitum ferox dargestellten Aconitins (Pseudoaconitin, Aconitinum anglicum, Nepalin), 8vo, Dorpat, 1873.