102 VENOMOUS SNAKES AND THE PHENOMENA OF THEIR VENOMS 



With the venom of Lachesis fiavoviridis or Trimeresurus riukiuanus Ishi- 

 zaka gives the following experiments: 



Acids: A solution of the venom ;kept in contact with i per cent acetic acid 

 during 24 hours at 37° C. loses its haemorrhagic property. Lactic acid does the 

 same. Hydrochloric acid acts much more strongly and it is sufficient to destroy 

 the venom at room temperature to make the solution somewhat acid, within 10 to 

 15 minutes. 



The solution of ferrochloride separates (in the presence of sodium acetate, 

 in the cold) the toxic principles and renders the venom inert. 



Hydrogen sulphide produces a heavy precipitate, which, when freed from the 

 sulphide by passage of the air, is seen to have been deprived of its poisonous action 

 to a considerable extent. 



Acetone separates out all active principles of the venom solution. The precipi- 

 tate is difficultly soluble in water, but easily in alkalies, and has the activity of the 

 native venom, provided the action of acetone was not too long. The filtrate is, 

 on the other hand, entirely innocent. 



Shaking with ether or toluol has no effect on the venom solution, but shaking 

 with petroleum ether or hydrogen sulphide for 5 to 10 minutes produces thick, 

 white emulsion. The emulsion, when centrifugalized, gives a clear fluid which has 

 all the original powers of the venom. Drying this clear fluid in vacuum reduces 

 its activity to a certain extent. 



Shaking the venom solution with chloroform causes emulsion, from which a 

 clear portion is obtained by centrifugalization. After repeating this process we 

 can get a clear solution which has no more haemorrhagic constituents, but is still 

 neurotoxic and haemolytic. 



