74 THE VENOM OF HELODERMA. 



Subdural injection: Guinea-pig 98, 350 g. June 21, 2 h 29 m injected 0.05 c.c. of venom. 



2 h 4o m dead; almost dead since 2 h 32 m . 

 Subdural injection: Guinea-pig 97, 350 g. June 21, 2 h 30 m injected 1 c.c. normal saline. 



4 h 4-5 m normal; killed. 

 Injection into intestines: Rabbit B 3, 1700 g. June 28, open abdominal cavity; inject 



into intestines (small) 40 mg. venom. June 29, well and lively. July 7, 



well and lively. 

 Injection into intestines: Rabbit B 4, 1600 g. June 28, open abdominal cavity; inject 



into intestine (small) 20 mg. venom. June 29, well and lively. July 7, well 



and lively. 



EFFECT OF PLACING COLLODION CAPSULES CONTAINING VENOM IN 



THE PERITONEAL CAVITY. 



In several rabbits and guinea-pigs we tested the influence of venom placed 

 in the peritoneal cavity in collodion capsules. By this method we wished to 

 determine to what extent venom passed through the collodion capsule in the 

 animal body, and also the effect of venom being added continuously in very 

 small quantities. 



Eight rabbits and two guinea-pigs were used in these experiments. The 

 collodion sacs were made by pouring a thin coating of collodion into a small 

 test-tube and removing this collodion coating after the ether and alcohol had 

 evaporated. The sacs were first tested with water and only capsules that 

 were perfect were used. The solution of either fresh or dry venom was placed 

 in the capsule, the neck of which was tied. The tied end of the capsule was 

 further sealed with collodion and the capsule containing the venom was placed 

 for an hour in a water-bath, the temperature of which was maintained at 80 C. 

 Thereupon the capsule was put into the peritoneal cavity under the usual 

 aseptic precautions. 



We found the venom gradually passed out of the capsules and was 

 absorbed by the animals. The lethal effect was proportionate to the quantity 

 of venom put within the capsule. The number of capsules placed within the 

 peritoneal cavity appeared to influence the toxic effect. The greater the num- 

 ber of capsules, the greater was the aggregate surface of diffusion through 

 which the venom could pass out of the capsules. 



Only two guinea-pigs were used in these experiments. One collodion cap- 

 sule was placed in the peritoneal cavity of each of these animals ; in one case 

 the capsule contained 0.5 c.c. of fresh venom, in the other 24 mg. of dissolved 

 dry venom. The first animal died after 28 hours, while the second died in 

 24 hours. 



Both animals showed marked weakness about 12 hours after the capsules 

 had been placed in the peritoneal cavity. The respiration was rapid and 

 usually shallow. They were very quiet and did not move about their cages 

 unless disturbed. From this stage they both passed on to a stage of distinct 

 paralysis, in which the respiration was deep and strained. Previous to this 

 latter stage, however, the guinea-pig which had received the capsule contain- 

 ing 24 mg. of venom developed marked convulsions which lasted for a short 

 time and were immediately followed by the paralytic stage. The animals did 

 not show any recovery from this dyspneic, paralytic condition; they died from 

 30 to 60 minutes after the appearance of this condition. 



