term “_Narcotico-Acrid_” may be very reasonably questioned;[211] even _Orfila_ expresses his doubts upon the subject, “because the narcotic or sedative effects only follow the previous excitement.” Some of the poisons, under this last mentioned class, are rapidly absorbed, and act, through the medium of the circulation, on the nervous system, without producing any local inflammation; whilst others, again, merely act upon the extremities of the nerves, with which they come in contact, and without being absorbed, occasion death by a species of sympathetic action. These few objections, and many more might be adduced, are sufficient to demonstrate the imperfection of the classification under consideration, and which would render it wholly unavailable to the pathologist who must adopt his treatment according to the physiological action of each poison. The author has accordingly, in his “Pharmacologia”[212] ventured to propose an arrangement, in conformity with such views; and the following sketch of it may perhaps form a useful introduction to the general observations which it will be hereafter necessary to offer upon the “_modus operandi_” of poisons. A CLASSIFICATION OF THE DIFFERENT MODES BY WHICH POISONS PRODUCE THEIR EFFECTS. † This mark denotes that the substance, against which it is placed, may also act by being absorbed. ‡ Signifies that the article has also a local action. I. BY ACTING THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF THE NERVES, WITHOUT BEING ABSORBED, AND WITHOUT EXCITING ANY LOCAL INFLAMMATION. a. _By which the functions of the nervous system are destroyed._ Acrid. Aconite. Jatropa Curcas. Narcotico-Acrid. Alcohol. Oil of Tobacco. Narcotic. Essential Oil of Almonds.† Camphor.† Opium†? b. _By rendering the heart insensible to the stimulus of the blood._ Infusion of Tobacco. _Upas Antiar._ II. BY ENTERING THE CIRCULATION, AND ACTING THROUGH THAT MEDIUM WITH DIFFERENT DEGREES OF FORCE, ON THE HEART, BRAIN, AND ALIMENTARY CANAL. Corrosive. Arsenic. Emetic Tartar. Muriate of Baryta. Acrid. Hellebore. Savine. Meadow Saffron. Squill. Narcotic. Opium.‡ Lettuce. Henbane. Prussic acid. Narcotico-Acrid.