362 VENOMS 



On an average, therefore, nearly three cobras are necessary to 

 furnish 1 gramme of dry venom, since freshly collected venom 

 weighs more, owing to the proportion of water contained in it, 

 which is greater than half the total weight. Thus the quantity 

 of fresh venom extracted from an average cobra may be estimated 

 at about 80 centigrammes. It may be added that the product of the 

 glands differs considerably in appearance, according as it is derived 

 from a dead or living snake. In the former case it takes the form 

 of extremely small, glistening lamellae, of a golden-yellow colour, 

 similar in appearance, when in bulk, to iodoform. Venom extracted 

 from the living snake, on the other hand, is of an amber-brown 

 colour, and forms much larger lamellae, which are translucent and 

 slightly elongate, resembling particles of gum arable. When the 

 product is impure and mixed with a small quantity of blood, it 

 has a dull appearance, and is of a dark, dirty brown, almost black 

 colour. 



At the Pondicherry Hospital venom is collected in the following 

 manner :^ The snake is brought by the snake-charmer in a chatty, 

 a kind of earthern pot, covered with a rag, or half a calabash. 

 Ensconced at the bottom of this receptacle, the reptile has a 

 difficulty in making up its mind to emerge, which it does only 

 after having been stirred up several times. Once it is outside 

 the charmer forces the cobra to uncoil, and, while the animal is 

 moving slowly along, fastens it to the ground by placing the end 

 of a bamboo on its neck, quite close to the head. The Indian 

 then cautiously seizes the head of the cobra with his forefinger 

 and thumb, and, with a rapid movement, throws it into a jar pre- 

 pared for the purpose, containing a few tampons of absorbent wool 

 impregnated with chloroform. As soon as the snake is inside, an 

 assistant quickly slips a metal plate over the opening of the jar 

 and presses his hand firmly down upon it. In a few minutes the 



' The photographs, by which this note was accompanied, are reproduced in 

 Chapter IV. of this volume, pp. 155,. 157, 15b. 



