W. M‘Donnell
It was seized with a fit?—Apparently a spasm, which I consider to be of the tetaniform character. I had seen the child half an hour before. There was nothing the matter with it then. It was in bed, I believe, with the mother, who was laid up. I did not see its face. I saw it lying in bed, but did not examine it. I judged it to be asleep.
With regard to the animals that you experimented on with strychnia, when did you begin with them?—I began this series of experiments for this case in January.
Had you ever made any before?—Yes; I think eight or ten years ago. The dose by which I killed the animals was from 1¾ to 2 grains. The animals experimented upon were dogs, cats, rabbits, and fowls. These experiments will relate to dogs. A grain is the smallest dose I administered. In four cases I used a grain, in five 1½ grains, in one, I think, 1¼ grains, and in two 2 grains.
You never tried them with half a grain?—Yes, I did; I did not mention it before. I gave half a grain for the purpose of ascertaining the least dose that would kill.
Did you try if you could detect it afterwards?—How could I try before I killed the dog?
Do you mean on your oath you do not understand my question? Show me one instance where you have given half a grain?—I did not make a note, because it did not kill. I have never destroyed a dog with half a grain; I tried it, and it did not answer.
Now let us come to your symptoms. You say you have always found the brain highly congested?—By the stoppage of the circulation in the system.
Have you not found in some cases that the brain was not congested?—No; I think in every case there were more or less congestion.
Is that greater in proportion to the length of the paroxysm?—No; it is greatest where the animal was young and in a full state of health.