No. XII. 



Some further Experiments on the Poison of the Rattlesnake. 

 By R. Harlan, M.D. Read 20 March, 1829. 



AGREEABLY to a promise made in a paper published in 

 the first part of this volume, to continue the experiments 

 on the poison of the Rattlesnake, in which the root of the 

 Hieraceum venosum as an antidote was tested, I now offer a 

 few additional observations. 



It will be observed that though the experiments detailed 

 below afforded different results, in no instance was it found 

 successful, as an antidote, when administered to quadrupeds. 

 In a few instances the medicine did certainly appear to miti- 

 gate the effects of the poison on the system in a slight degree, 

 yet in others not the least benefit was derived from it. The 

 reptiles were fresh healthy animals recently received from the 

 country. 



Experiment 1. 



June 5th, 1828. Two kittens were exposed to be bitten 

 by a young male Rattlesnake ; several wounds were inflicted 

 on both without any poisonous symptoms following. 



A large female snake was next produced : the bite of this 

 animal was speedily followed by the usual symptoms of simi- 

 lar poisoned wounds in both animals. 



