304 EXPERIMENTS MADE ON THE 



pils of the eyes were dilated, and in eight minutes convulsions 

 and death supervened. 



A narcotic or sedative effect of the poison was an early 

 symptom, and this soon degenerated into insensibility. 



In the second experiment, the kitten was introduced into 

 the box among the snakes, and received wounds from several ; 

 one of the proprietors, Mr Elnsworth, having introduced his 

 hand into the box among the reptiles with a view of irritating 

 them, received two distinct wounds on the back of the hand, 

 and which were observed to be inflicted by different indivi- 

 dual snakes ; the wounds bled slightly. Mr E. displayed no 

 uneasiness, but loitered about the room and continued the ex- 

 hibition for some time, and then took an opportunity to re- 

 tire for a few minutes, and returned entirely out of danger : 

 two small punctured wounds alone remained visible ; the 

 bleeding had ceased, and the slight tumefaction which had 

 commenced around the wound had entirely disappeared. 

 No marks of suction were discovered, nor were any precau- 

 tions taken, in presence of the visitors, after the infliction of 

 the wound, with the exception of the application of a ligature 

 around the wrist. 



In fine, that the proprietors arc actually convinced thai 

 they possess some means to render the poison of the Rattle- 

 snake innocuous, would seem to be proved by the experi- 

 ments above stated, as well as by the perfect composure and 

 unlimited confidence of the man, when fairly wounded by 

 the poisonous animals, which at the same time were inflict- 

 ing mortal wounds on the subjects of the experiments. 



They stated to the company that the specific was of Indian 

 renown, that a decoction of the plant was administered inter- 

 nally, and that, for a moderate compensation, the secret would 

 be disclosed. 



Accordingly, on the 1 5th of December, 1827, a number 

 (if gentlemen*, including several eminent individuals of the 



* The following is a list of the names of those gentlemen who liberally contrib- 

 uted towards paying the amount demanded by the proprietors for the disclosure of 



