IIintPETOLOGY. 325 



Experimant Xo. IG. — A doj; wiis bitten l>y a fresh coLra (Tval.a Kcnutiali) in tlio foru 

 iirui at ;5-;58 r.Ji. A li^aturc was iramciliatelj- tightened round tlic liinh above the 

 vonnd. The actual cautery was at once ajjplicd, until the fanp wounds and the adjacent 

 ]>arts were completely disorganized. The dog ilied without further treatment in 3o 

 minutes. On this case Dr. B^iyrer remarks, "In this case, notwithstanding the liga- 

 ture, which was applied as tightly as two persons could pull it round the leg, and thu 

 deep and thorough actual cauterization, immediately after the bite, the snake poison 

 found entry into the system and proved fatal in 35 minutes. Xothing, it seems to mo, 

 can more strongly demonstrate the extremely subtle and virulent nature of the cobra 

 ])oison, than these experiments. Nothing, I think, is more significant of the improba- 

 bility of anything proving to bo an antidote. If the poison find entry into tho blood- 

 vessels, and be carried to the nerve centres, I am inclined to believe that nothing can 

 prove of any avail, excepting in those cases when the bite is imperfect, the quantity 

 or the quality of the poison diminished or deteriorated, or the snake itself is young, 

 weak, exhausted, or is one of a less poisonous family; such, I believe, are the only cases 

 in which recovery occurs, through the inherent vigour of the animal or person bitten, 

 perhaps aided by stimulants and excitement." — (Fayrer's Thanatopliidia, p. 97.) Still 

 more instructive is tho third ease. " A very largo and vigorous pariah dog was bitten 

 in the marginal fold of integument between the thigh and tho abdomen, by a cobra, 

 at S'o.i P.M. The part was immediately cut out by a bistoury, the places where the 

 fangs had penetrated being completely removed. The instrument was at hand and the 

 operation was done at once. Two seconds, not more, might have intervened between 

 the bite and the excision. At 4 p.m. some brandy was poured down the dog's throat; 

 46 another do.se of brandy administered ; 4-16 he is excited, and respiration hurried, 

 perliajis from the brandy; 4-25 the dog is not yet affected by the poison; 4-.'53 

 much tho same, the breathing rather hurried; 4'42 no symptoms of poi.soning, except 

 the hurried breathing, and tliat may be from excitement ; 4'47 more brandy given ; 

 4'o0 no symptoms of poisoning yet; 5'10 vomited, shows synq)toms of being 

 poisoned; 5-15 vomited again; 5 30 restless, bi'eathing hurried, abundant flow of 

 saliva ; 6 p.m. slight convulsions, breathing hurried ; 6-30 dead. Bitten at 3'55, 

 dead at ()'30, in 2 hours and 35 minutes. Here again the extraordinary virulence of 

 the poison is shown. The snake bit in a fold of skin, which was immediately excised, 

 yet in the slight interval — it could not have been more than two seconds — enough of 

 the poison had entered the circulation to cause death in 2 hours and 35 minutes, 

 notwithstanding the free administration of brandy. The dog too, was an unusually 

 largo and vigorous animal." — Fayrer's Thanatophidia, p. 105. 



Again on the critical question, the possibility of arresting tho poison after 

 an effective bite. Dr. Fayrer remarks — "That such tiiai/ be done, I will not deny, 

 but the two experiments just recorded, performed with the greatest care and speed 

 bv two surgeons accustomed to such operations, show that at the least it is very 

 difficult. The moment of time that intervenes between the injection of tho snake 

 ])oison by tho powerful maxillary muscles through the tube-like fang into the minute 

 blood vessels of the part, and the application of the ligature and actual cautery, 

 is sufficient to allow of the entry of the poison within the circulation, and this 

 reaching the neiwe centres, even in a small quantity, may prove fatal." 



For further details of this most interesting subject, reference must be made 

 to Dr. Fayrer's work, but I will record the chief deductions from tho experiments 

 made and other data therein brought together and reviewed. 



1. Snake poison is not only active when injected into the system, but developes 

 its poisonotis action when applied to a mucous s\irfane, or the conjunctiva. 



2. The blood of an animal killed by snake poison is itself a powerful poison 

 when introduced into the system of another animal. 



3. The milk of a woman bitten by a poisonous snake is fatal to the child, 

 if allowed the breast. 



4. The poison of the colubrine snakes does not interfere with the coagulation 

 of tho blood after death in the lower animals, but tho blood remains fluid (as a rule) 

 after death from the bite of a viperine snake. Authentic particulars on the state 

 of the blood of the human sul)jcct after colubrine poisoning are still wanted. 



