OF THE VENOM OF THE RATTLESNAKE. 53 



amine geparatoly the influence of the venom upon the muscles, nerves, bloodvessels, 

 and blood itself. This general practical examination will enable us to review the 

 theories hitherto in vogue, and to ascertain, if possible, the proximate mode in 

 which this mysterious substance may be supposed to act. 



In following the track here pointed out, I shall relate, at length, the cases, 

 symptoms, etc., observed in a considerable number of animals, and I shall allude, 

 briefly, to a still larger number whose cases it will be needless to state in detail. 

 Although I shall thus record more experiments than have been made by any other 

 observer who has studied the subject of Crotalus poisoning, it will, I fear, be but 

 too plain that the research is one which demands the labors of many, and is, 

 indeed, of such a nature that some of the questions involved in it, can only be 

 settled by persons of greater leisure than myself, and who, at the same time, are 

 so situated as to be able to procure a constant supply of fresh snakes. 



It would, perhaps, be more in order to begin this section of our subject by an 

 examination of the relations of serpent venom to the absorbing surfaces. It will, 

 however, prove a convenience, as well as an economy of space, if, in place of this 

 we defer the study of the absorption of venom until we have fully considered its 

 effects on animals ; since, in so doing, we shall be obliged to detail many of the 

 facts which bear upon the deferred question. 



It will be remembered that, upon page 50 of this Essay, I stated that, on several 

 occasions I had noticed the production of fungi in moist venom, long kept upon 

 my table, in an atmosphere of from 64° to 70° F. I have also observed in the 

 same and in other specimens of venom long kept, and somewhat diluted, that after 

 seven to ten days, the poison acquired an odor of a peculiar and very disgusting 

 character. The pi-oduction of this animalized and indescribable stench was accom- 

 panied by the appearance of vibriones, and, a few da^-s later, of rotifera; and other 

 minute forms of animalcular life. The occurrence of these little beings in a fluid 

 so deadly, prompted me to learn whether or not it had lost, by decomposition, any 

 part of its specific nature as a poison; for, although I was aware that the cuticles 

 of higher animals opposed a perfect resistance to the passage of the venom, I did not 

 suppose that the delicate organisms here spoken of could, by any possibility, escape 

 its action, when born and developed within it. At all events, this view opened 

 to me a channel for observation of which I had not thought before, and whose 

 value I therefore proceeded to test, as stated on page 52, by determining what power 

 yet remained in the venom which had become the nidus of so much active vitality. 



It was my intention to examine, in the next place, the eflfect of the venom 

 upon leeches, fish, eels, and crustacean animals, but for reasons which it is needless 

 to relate, I was obliged to postpone these observations until some future occasion. 



I was the more desirous, however, of making these examinations, because Fon- 

 tana had already decided that leeches, snails, and slugs, were unaffected by the 

 venom of the viper, and because some of his numerous observations in this direction 

 were open to criticism, from his having failed to observe the animals as long as he 

 should have done after the infliction of the poisoned wound, a precaution which, as 

 I shall show, is absolutely essential when studying the influence of the venom 

 upon cold-blooded animals. 



