Unpublished paper, 'Experimental researches on the mode of operation of poisons' by James Blake

Description

Blake, of University College, London, examines the action of poisons that fatally affect the nervous system. He presents evidence in support of the opinion that the effects of some poisons are owing to an impression made on the nerves of the part to which they are directly applied. He shares the results of a series of experiments undertaken in order to show with what rapidity the blood is circulated through the body, and suggests that a substance may be generally diffused through the system in nine seconds after its introduction into the veins.

Annotated in pencil throughout.

Subject: Toxicology

Received 6 May 1839. Communiated by P M [Peter Mark] Roget.

Whilst the Royal Society declined to publish this paper in full, an abstract of the paper was published in volume 4 of Abstracts of the Papers Printed in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London [later Proceedings of the Royal Society] as 'Experimental researches on the mode of operation of poisons'.

Reference number

AP/23/2

Earliest possible date

21 March 1839

Physical description

Ink and graphite pencil on paper

Page extent

45 pages

Format

Manuscript