350 I'ZFFLCTS OF SKAKh: \KX()MS i>X DOMESTIC ANI.MALS. 



has been administered. The syi'inge needle is then \vitli(h"awn. 

 Aseptic precautions must be observed throns^liout the operation. 

 It the injection has been i)roperly performed, no local lesion will 

 develop; but it the venom is allowed throu^^h carelessness to 

 come into contact with the sui)cutaneous tissue, a swelling will 

 develop, which, if it does not result in abscess formation, will at 

 any rate obscure the jugular \cin, and render successive inocula- 

 tions more diltictilt. These remarks apply in partictilar to the 

 use of Viperine venom. 



The reaction begins in about ,^o seconds after the injection 

 of the venom, and lasts from 1 5 minutes to one hour. The 

 severity of the symptoms shown dejjend oti the increase of dose 

 given, and also on the specific idiosyncrasy of the animal. Very 

 great differences have been observed in the resistance shown by 

 various animals, some showing otily slight reactions to a compara- 

 tively large increase of venom, others showing violent reactions 

 after each inocttlation. 



The symptoms shown depend on the origin of the venom, 

 whether Viperine or Cokibrine, and the following are the more 

 im])ortant sym|)toms of marked reactions in the order in which 

 they appear : — 



(i) Viperine ( Puff-Adder (.—Respirations temporarily in- 

 creased, followed In' a \cr} marked slowing, which is frequentlv 

 so marked that for a few minutes respiratory movements are 

 almost t]nai)])reciable. (General dullness and depression, head 

 drops, and the blood in the jugular veins stagnates and causes 

 them to become very prominent. TIk- eyes close and the animal 

 sways as though semi-comatose, in which conditions it often 

 neighs. At this stage the animal may fall unless supported. The 

 visible mucous meml)ranes are injected, and the pulse rapid and 

 intermittent. Stretching of tlie legs occurs, the limbs being 

 alternately lifted and extended as though the animal was suffer- 

 ing from crani]). S])asm of the al)dominal muscles is frequent. 

 Later these .■symptoms may subside. .Symptoms of colic appear, 

 the animal turning its head towards its side, kicking the abdo- 

 men with its hind-legs. These do not usually last for more than 

 15 minutes. Free def^ecation occurs, sometimes followed bv 

 slight diarrh(ea, which may last for a few hours. 



(2) GjLcr.Kin.E i Naja Flava and Nigricollis). — The first 

 symptoms observed after injections of cobra venom are inscribed 

 respirations and turning up of the upper lip, indicating nausea, 

 and general sym})toms of excitement. There is (piivering of the 

 muscles of the limbs, especially marked at the flank and shoulder, 

 and profuse sweating. The pulse is increased in frequency. 

 Marked iircoordinatiori of movement is present, the animal stag- 

 gering from side to side, crossing the legs, and in some cases 

 falling to the ground unless supported. x\t this stage the 

 Ijreathing is laboured and chiefly abdominal. The nostrils are 

 distended, the neck held low, with the head thrust forward. 

 Actite sym])toms of colic ma)- lieveloj) later, the aniinal kicking 

 at the abdomen and turning the hea«4- to the fiank, but these 



