ae mation of snake-bite is due to the Jak aap present in the venom 
eo 
hie 28 ‘LEGUMINOSL. 
colubrine ‘snakes, such as the cobra; that oe the globulin 
and peptone of the venom are poisonous, producing practically — 
the same general symptoms, but with this exception (and a 
noticeable one it is), that the great.local ecchymosis and inflam- _ 
and not to the “peptone.” 
For reasons which | have detailed tae. * it seems to me 
that Weir-Mitchell and Reichert’s venom “peptone” is not a 
true peptone, but belongs to the albumose class of proteid bodies, 
abrus poison seems to be more sonaiiee han venom. ‘ 
even after boiling and filtering, rattlesnake venom, if given i 
sufficient dose, is fatal ; and cobra venom is still active (althoug! 
permanently destroyed by boiling for half an hour) while, with 
abrus proteids, a momentary heating of the globulin in a sol 
- tion up to 80° C., is sufficient to destroy its activity, while wi 
the albumose the destroying temperature is 85°C. Rattlesna 
venom, like abras poison, also lessens the body temperature. 
‘The great difference, however, between snake venom and ab 
poison rests in the fact that venom produces local paralysis 
~” and general convulsions, while abrus has no such effect. Abrus » 
seems to affect the cerebral. > seaamabing producing stu 
- ending in ‘coma. - 4 
_* It is evident, therefore, that while abrus poison bears some 
— resemblance to ba venom it is far from being pa 
with it. 
Nature of Abrus Parkas one it is not explicabl 
ad ret should be poisonous ; why, when pies 
ae Ree * Proc. Roy. eee MATT 
