EFFECTS OF SNAKE \"EN()MS ON DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 345 



hard painful swelling, and a horse which died after 42 hours 

 showed a large, soft, insensitive swelling. 



With Scpedon Jucmachatcs, three horses bitten all developed 

 a large painless local swelling and recovered. Resolution in 

 these cases occurred without complications. It would appear 

 that the formation of a large local swelling subsequent to the 

 bite of Colubrine snakes denotes a subacute case which will prob- 

 ably end in recovery. 



The effects of the local lesion were in most cases due to the 

 pain and swelling, causing a limb to be carried or moved rest- 

 lessly or causing mechanical interference with a joint, if in the 

 region of one. 



General symptoms due to pain were noted, viz., restlessness, 

 sweating, hurried respirations and a frequent hard pulse. 



Nervous symptoms indicated by excitement or depression 

 were present in some of the animals under observation. Symp- 

 toms of excitement were shown by the restless movements of 

 the animal in the box. accompanied by excessive movements of 

 the tail, head, and jaws. Quivering of muscles or even spas- 

 modic contractions were in some cases observed, either local or 

 general, and in the final stage of asphyxia there were in some 

 cases general convulsions. 



Other symptoms suggestive of excitement which were noted 

 w^ere as follows : — 



(Grinding of the teeth, frequent movement of deglutition, 

 copious defecation and urination, freqvient deep respirations 

 and a rapid pulse. 



The symptoms of :iervous de])ression were shown by a 

 torpor varying from a slight dulness to ]:)aralysis, either local or 

 general, and finally paralysis. The animal in the dull stage 

 remains a long time in one position, with head hanging and the 

 eyes closed. Co-ordination of movements are impaired and nnis- 

 cular tone is lost in voluntary and involuntary muscles. 



In one horse and sheep bitten b\' N. Iiaja general dulness 

 and weakness was very marked, and in a horse bitten by A'. 

 ftava, progressive paresis and incoordination of movement v, as 

 well show^n. 



The general effects of Colubrine venom on domestic animals 

 mav l)e summarised as follows: — 



A })eriod of excitement occurs within an hour, and this is 

 followed by a ])eriod during which the animal aj^pears normal. 



Muscular contractions develop in from one to a few hovu'S. 

 these becoming more and more intense, and the animal dies in a 

 short period from asphyxia. Animals not succumbing rapidl)' 

 to the effects of the venom exhibit a stage of general depression 

 interrupted by ])eriods of restlessness and motor excitement, 

 and the condition fre((uently ends in death. 



The post-mortcui lesions found in animals which have died 

 as a result of poisoning by Colubrine venom may be briefly 

 stated as follows : — 



