OF THE VENOM OF THE RATTLESNAKE. 29 



the cup fifteen drops of venom. This is the largest quantity which I have ever 

 seen ejected by natural process. In a subsequent attempt, the next day, this 

 serpent, which bit eagerly, threw out only one or two drops from each fang. The 

 snake was fifty-three inches long, and weighed two pounds four ounces. 



It is diflicult to compare the amount of venom ejected by the Crotalus, with that 

 excreted by the Viper, and the Naja, since, although both EusselP and Fontana^ 

 speak on this point, they seem to have secui'ed the poison from the exsected gland, 

 or, at least, by pressure after death, and they are, moi-eover, silent as to the length 

 and weight of the animals examined. 



Jeter' states that the enlarged duct at the base of the poison gland will hold 

 usually about ten drops, when distended with accumulated poison. 



In four snakes I filled the duct and gland with water. The injection was made 

 by introducing a small syringe into the duct itself outside of the gland. The fluid 

 was afterwards expressed from the gland, and measured. In place of estimating 

 the fluid by the gross plan of dropping it, I employed the following means : A 

 narrow tube was graduated, so that each division represented a drop of distilled 

 water. The point being drawn to a fine capillary termination, enabled me to col- 

 lect, by gentle suction, the venom, or other fluid, even when it was spread over a 

 rough surface, or accidentally spilled. 



In the accompanying table, I have given the weight and length of the serpents 

 used, and the amount in water-drops which a single gland in each snake was capa- 

 ble of containing. 



Weight 9i oz. Capacity of gland 11 drops. 

 " 18 " " " 19 " 



" 3 lbs. 2 oz. " " 29 " 



Color of Ytnom. — The color of the venom varied from a pale emerald green to 

 orange and straw color. Where the poison had remained a long time in the gland, 

 it was deeper in hue than when its ejection followed rapidly upon its formation. 



I have also observed tiiat in some snakes, it was uniformly of a darker color 



a few inches of lung which lie in front of the stick, but as it becomes more insensible, the pressure of 

 the stick is removed, and the strap of the staff loosened. About twenty minutes are required to com- 

 plete the process. If it is then found that the lower jaw hangs relaxed when opened, the neck is seized 

 firmly, the fangs caught on a saucer edge, and the glands stripped from behind forwards by pressure with 

 the thumb and forefinger. The venom usually escapes alongside of the fang, from under the mucous 

 cloak. To secure all of the available venom, it is best to wash the fang and the vagina dentis with the 

 aid of a little water, and a pipette ; but one objection can be urged against this method. One snake in 

 every four died within from two to five days, and this after apparent recovery from the effects of the 

 chloroform. It is not impossible that too severe a compression of the venom glands may produce rup- 

 ture of its substance, and consequent blood-poisoning. This, however, is but conjecture ; and I have 

 not further examined the subject experimentall}'. 



■ Russell on the Poison Serpents of India, p. 40. 



= Fontana on Poisons, Trans, by J. Skinner. Lond. 1Y87, vol. i. 27T— 287. 



= Poisoned Wounds, etc., a Report of a Committee to the Med. Assoc, of Missouri, by A. F. Jeter, 

 M.D., p. 10. 



* Not inclusive of the rattles. 



