n a boy only nine years old, almost
well from an attack of pneumonia, the temperature having become normal
over a week before. Dr. Ringer's experiment went so far as to give
him apparently considerable apprehension. He speaks of the flushed
face, the trembling hand, and lips, the laboured breathing, the
spasmodic movements of limbs.

"These symptoms were at their height at midday, and were so marked,
and the pulse and respirations so quick, that we must confess we felt
a little relief when the toxic (poisonous) symptoms which became FAR
MORE MARKED THAN WE EXPECTED, abated; not that at any time the boy was
dangerously ill; but as the symptoms progressed, after discontinuing
the medicine, WE DID NOT KNOW HOW LONG AND TO WHAT DEGREE THEY MIGHT
INCREASE." (!)

What shall be said of experiments like these, made upon children who
had almost or quite recovered from ailments for which medical advice
was sought?

Poisoning with Ethyl-Atropium.

This drug has no recognized medical use. In order to make experiments
with it upon patients under his care, Dr. Ringer was obliged to have
it specially manufactured. He refers to "our experiments upon man,"
and states that the poisonous substance

"produces decided but transient paralysis, THE PATIENT BEING UNABLE TO
STAND OR WALK, and the head dropping rather toward the shoulder or
chest, and the upper eyelids drooping."[1]

[1] Ringer's "Therapeutics," p. 534.

Experiments with Tartar-Emetic, or Antimony.

Of this poison, an American authority tells us that "the fraction of a
grain" may be followed by a fatal result. Dr. Ringer states,
nevertheless, that,

"TO A STRONG YOUNG MAN, I gave tartar-emetic in the 1/2-grain doses
every ten minutes for nearly seven hours, INDUCING GREAT NAUSEA AND
VOMITING with profuse perspiration."[2]

[2] Ibid., p. 273

Twenty-one grains of antimony administered to "a strong young man,"
though a fatal result may be inducted by a fraction of a single grain!

Poisoning with Alcohol.

With this substance, Dr. Ringer tells us he made a great many
observations "every quarter of an hour for several hours ON PERSONS OF
ALL AGES.... After poisonous doses, the depression (of temperature) in
one instance reached nearly three degrees."

Does this sinister confession mean that even infants were the objects
of his scientific zeal? It is certain that some children were
subjected to this expe