SUBSTANCES PRODUCING ABORTION. This group, though far from a natural one, is nevertheless convenient. It comprehends a great variety of substances, first among which comes. ERGOT OF RYE (_Spurred Rye_, _Secale cornatum_).—The grain of wheat, barley, oats, and rye is apt to be attacked by a parasitic fungus which imparts to it specific properties. This substance has the power of inducing contraction of unstriped muscular fibre, especially in the smaller arteries and uterus. Ergotised grain, in full doses, gives rise to lassitude, headache, nausea, and diarrhœa. From small quantities, frequently repeated, gangrene of the extremities has resulted. The peculiar influence of ergot on the muscular coat of the uterus renders this agent a valuable medicine when we wish to induce powerful contractions, but in the hands of the ill-intentioned it is frequently used to procure abortion; but its action in this way is far from certain, and at all times dangerous. Savin and its oil are irritant poisons, only indirectly affecting the uterus; nevertheless, they not unfrequently are used to induce miscarriage. Oil of Tansy has also been employed in America as an abortive agent, and in three instances, at least, has caused death. The Yew (_Taxus baccata_), which has acquired in certain districts a reputation as an abortive, acts as do some others, by producing irritation of the bowels, and so communicating a kind of stimulus to the uterus. The leaves and berries of the yew have both proved fatal, commonly with irritant symptoms; but those of coma have also been observed. In America extract of Cotton-wood has a reputation as an abortive. APPENDIX. I. BITES OF VENOMOUS REPTILES.—The poisonous reptiles provided with fangs are the Ophidia, or Serpents. Accidents from serpents’ bites rarely, of course, happen in this country, but are of frequent occurrence in India, Australia, and America. On the morning of the 20th October, 1852, one of the keepers at the Zoological Gardens in the Regent’s Park, was wounded by a cobra, which he had removed from its cage and was playing with. For twenty minutes after the animal bit him at the root of the nose no peculiar symptoms were manifested, and the part was merely bathed with water. Forty minutes afterwards the man was admitted into University College Hospital, his face then being livid, respiration impeded, and the power of locomotion imperfect. He pointed to his throat as the seat of pain, but could not speak, and was unable to swallow. Artificial respiration was employed for fifty minutes, and subsequently galvanism; but stupor rapidly succeeded to faintness, and the patient died comatose fifty-five minutes after admission. The chief appearances found on dissection were an unnatural fluidity and blackness of the blood, with great congestion of the lungs and spleen.