An over-dose of opium generally occasions great drowsiness, with stupor and other apoplectic symptoms. Sometimes the person has so great an inclination to sleep, that it is almost impossible to keep him awake. Every method must however be tried for this purpose. He should be tossed, shaked, and moved about. Sharp blistering-plasters should be applied to his legs or arms, and stimulating medicines, as salts of hartshorn, &c. held under his nose. It will also be proper to let blood. At the same time every method must be taken to make him discharge the poison. This may be done in the manner directed above, _viz._ by the use of strong vomits, drinking plenty of warm water with oil, &c. Mead, besides vomits, in this case, recommends acid medicines with lixivial salts. He says, that he has often given salt of wormwood mixed with juice of lemon in repeated doses with great success. If the body should remain weak and languid after the poison has been discharged, nourishing diet and cordials will be proper; but when there is reason to fear that the stomach or bowels are inflamed, the greatest circumspection is necessary both with regard to food and medicine. OF THE BITES OF POISONOUS ANIMALS. We shall begin with the bite of a mad dog, as it is both the most common and dangerous animal-poison in this country. The creatures naturally liable to contract this disease are, as far as we yet know, all of the dog kind, _viz._ foxes, dogs, and wolves. Hence it is called the _rabies canina_, or dog madness. Of the last we have none in this island; and it so seldom happens that any person is bit by the first, that they scarce deserve to be taken notice of. If such a thing should happen, the method of treatment is precisely the same as for the bite of a mad dog. The symptoms of madness in a dog are as follow: At first he looks dull, shews an aversion to food and company: he does not bark as usual, but seems to murmur, is peevish, and apt to bite strangers: his ears and tail droop more than usual, and he appears drowsy: afterwards he begins to loll out his tongue, and froth at the mouth, his eyes seeming heavy and watery: he now, if not confined, takes off, runs panting along with a kind of dejected air, and endeavours to bite every one he meets. Other dogs are said to fly from him. Some think this a certain sign of madness, supposing that they know him by the smell; but it is not to be depended on. If he escapes being killed, he seldom runs above two or three days, till he dies exhausted with heat, hunger, and fatigue. This disease is most frequent after long, dry, hot seasons; and such dogs as live upon putrid stinking carrion, without having enough of fresh water, are most liable to it.