12 



MEMOIRS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 



THE EFFECT OF VENOM UPON RABBIT'S BLOOD DURING INTOXICATION OF THE 



ANIMAL WITH ALCOHOL. 



The blood takeu from these animals when placed upon slides showed a marked tendency of 

 the erythrocytes to creuation. The leucocytes slightly increased in number. In forty-eight hours 

 all of the corpuscles were broken down. 



Blood and venom, equal parts: The erythrocytes showed a quick reaction to the venom in the 

 usual way. In twenty-four hours all of the corpuscles were destroyed. 



Blood and a normal saline solution, equal parts: There was no marked immediate effect. In 

 forty eight hours the corpuscles were all destroyed. 



Blood and a normal saline solution containing 10 per cent venom, equal parts, and weaker 

 dilutions of venom used all showed marked reaction of venom, and the corpuscles were broken 

 down in twenty-four hours. 



The evident susceptibility of the blood of animals intoxicated with alcohol is indeed curious. 

 Why this should be we do not clearly understand, but it proves conclusively the lessened resist 

 ance of individuals under tbe influence of alcohol. It also bears out the teachings of those who 

 do not believe that intoxication of patients who have been bitten by a snake exerts any beneficial 

 effect upon the condition. 



Blond 



Blood and venom, equal parts. 



Immediate effect. 



Blood and normal saline solution, equal 

 parts. 



Blood and normal saline solution, con- 

 taining 111 percent venom, equal parts. 



Blood and normal saline solution, con- 

 taining 1 per cent venom, equal parts. 



Erythrocytes : Marked tendency to creuation. 

 Leucocytes increased in number. 



Erythrocytes: Characteristic reaction to venom. 

 Leucocytes : Active ameboid movement. 



Erythrocytes normal. Leucocytes, normal in 

 appearance. 



Erythrocytes slightly smaller and more refrac- 

 tive. Many arc globular. Leucocytes: Ame- 

 boid movement present. 



Erythrocytes smaller, more refractive, slightly 

 biconcave. Leucocytes: Ameboid movement 

 present. 



24 hours later. 



48 hours later. 



Corpuscles becoming gran- Broken down. 



lar. 

 All corpuscles broken down. 



Granular . 



Broken down. 



Broken down. 



Broken down. 



EFFECT OF PERMANGANATE OF ZINC UPON VENOM AND HUMAN BLOOD. 



When a saturated solution of permanganate of zinc was brought in contact with human 

 blood the corpuscles at the point of contact became fixed and dark brown in color, but were not 

 altered in shape. Various strengths of permanganate of zinc solutions were mixed with blood 

 which had previously been mixed with venom; no immediate or late effect was shown other than 

 that indicated when the permanganate of zinc in saturated solution was brought in contact with 

 normal blood. 



EFFECT OF POTASSIUM CHROMATE UPON VENOM AND HUMAN BLOOD. 



When a saturated solution of potassium chromate was brought in contact with normal blood 

 in equal parts, there was no change in the blood except a yellowish discoloration of the corpus- 

 cles and a stopping of the ameboid movement of the leucocytes. The saturated solution of 

 potassium chromate brought in contact with blood, which had been previously effected by venom, 

 stained the corpuscles but produced no alteration in the effected corpuscles. The same thing was 

 shown when the blood was mixed with the solution of 10 per cent venom and 0.1 per cent venom. 



EFFECT OF CHROMIC ACID UPON VENOM AND HUMAN BLOOD. 



The strong solutions of chromic acid above 2 per cent immediately destroyed all corpuscles, 

 but solutions of 1 to 0.1 per cent seemed to have no other action on either normal corpuscles, or 

 upon those effected by venom, than simply to decolorize them. 



EFFECT OF CALCIUM CHLORIDE SOLUTION UPON VENOM AND HUMAN BLOOD. 



A solution of calcium chloride in water, 1 to 00, was brought in contact with normal human 

 blood. The only noticeable effect from this mixture upon the corpuscles was slight crenation of 

 the erythrocytes and stopping of ameboid motion. The calcium chloride solution was mixed with 



