Wanderings in South America, the North-West of the United States, and the Antilles, in the years 1812, 1816, 1820, and 1824.

Waterton traveled to the Guyana region of South America to obtain curare. He provided a detailed description of its paralyzing effects, its preparation by distillation, and the blowpipe and darts used to deliver it. On his return to England Waterton conducted experiments with curare. His researches, in collaboration with veterinarian Wiliam Sewell and surgeon Benjamin Brodie, stimulated medical interest in the poison. One experiment that Waterton performed included resuscitating an animal poisoned with curare by blowing air into its lungs. This he tried at the suggestion of the natives who had supplied him with a few of their antidotes along with the poison. Reprinted, London, O. U. P., 1973, edited by L. H. Matthews. Digital facsimile from Google Books at this link.