A pencil, drawn over the sole of the foot, occasioned a visible shrinking movement, and, on looking once more at the eyes, I detected a slight change that told me that the atropine was beginning to take effect.
This was very encouraging, and, so far, quite satisfactory, though it would have been premature to rejoice.

I kept the patient carefully covered and maintained the process of gentle irritation, moving his limbs and shoulders, brushing his hair and generally bombarding his deadened senses with small but repeated stimuli.

And under this treatment, the improvement continued so far that on my bawling a question into his ear he actually opened his eyes for an instant, though in another moment, the lids had sunk back into their former position.
Soon after this, Mr.Weiss re-entered the room, followed by Mrs.
Schallibaum, who carried a small tray, on which were a jug of coffee, a jug of milk, a cup and saucer and a sugar basin.
"How do you find him now ?" Mr.Weiss asked anxiously.
"I am glad to say that there is a distinct improvement," I replied.

"But we must persevere.

He is by no means out of the wood yet." I examined the coffee, which looked black and strong and had a very reassuring smell, and, pouring out half a cupful, approached the bed.
"Now, Mr.Graves," I shouted, "we want you to drink some of this." The flaccid eyelids lifted for an instant but there was no other response.