274 OPISTHOGLYPHOUS SNAKES. 



boomslang at 12.33 P- m - The snake bit very well, and retained 

 its hold for three and a half minutes. 



At 4 p.m. there was a distinct swelling around the bite, but 

 no general symptoms of disturbance. 



During the evening the swelling increased very considerably 

 in size, and the baboon became dull and distressed, moving very 

 languidly. At 11 p.m. the conjunctival and buccal mucous mem- 

 branes were noticeably paler than normal. 



The following morning the baboon was found lying on its 

 side, with the eyes closed, and apparently very weak. 



If manipulated it would slowly open the eyes and grunt, but 

 soon relapsed into a semi-comatose condition. It refused fooa, 

 but occasionally sat up and drank a little water. 



There was a diffuse swelling over the abdomen, and one could 

 observe a large livid patch of skin around the bite, and two other 

 livid areas extending anterior to this. There was also one small 

 livid area in the right axilla. 



At 1 1 a.m. the baboon was comatose, the extremities were 

 cold, the mucous membranes almost white, and the respiration 

 very slow, irregular, and sighing. 



At noon death was found to have occurred, almost 24 hours 

 after the bite. 



Post-Mortem. — The most remarkable features were : — 



1. Hasmorrhagic infiltration of the subcutaneous tissue over 

 more or less well-defined areas, both at the side of the bite and in 

 adjacent parts, and in regions such as the axilla and sternum, 

 quite remote from the bite. 



2. Some small haemorrhages into the caecum and colon. 



3. General pallor of other parts, due to extensive haemorr- 

 hage. 



The histological changes in different organs have not yet been 

 worked out. 



2. Sheep No. 2632. 



Bitten on the right thigh four times, by a female boomslang 

 at 1 p.m. on the 23rd January, 1912. 



2 p.m. — Slightly lame on the right hind leg. 



No further change was noted during the evening up to mid- 

 night. 



On the following morning the sheep was found to be down 

 and unable to rise. Respiration very hurried. There was no 

 noticeable swelling, but a livid area around the bite. 



During the day the sheep became progressively weaker, and 

 the respirations, which were at first very deep and frequent, 

 became less frequent, but deeper and spasmodic. 



At 2 p.m. the mucous membranes appeared rather pale, and 

 the respiration was stertorous, with some froth in the nostrils. 



Death occurred at 3.20 p.m., about twentv-six hours after the 

 bite. 



Post-Mortem. — The most striking lesions were: — 



t. Haemorrhagic infiltration of the subcutaneous connective 



