A. 
SOME EXPERIMENTS AT THE GOVERNMENT VETERINARY 
RESEARCH LABORATORIES, PRETORIA. 
Dr. Theiler, the able Director of the Veterinary and Research 
Departments of the Union of South Africa, has recently started 
a series of experiments with the object of ascertaining the exact 
pathological effect of the venom of each species of South African 
poisonous snake. For this purpose I have supplied him with 
various venomous snakes. The experiments are in their initial 
stages ; but Dr. Theiler has kindly sent me the following instructive 
article by his assistant, Mr. W. Horner Andrews. 
A BABOON BITTEN BY A BOOMSLANG. 
The Baboon was bitten on the shoulder by a Boomslang at 
noon on December 29, I9QITI. 
On the following day there was considerable oedematous 
swelling at the site of the bite, extending down to the elbow. 
The Baboon was at first fairly active, but later became dull and 
depressed. By 5 p.m. she was lying down, although still able to 
stand and walk, but still very depressed. 
On the morning of the 31st the Baboon was very poorly, 
refused food and water, and lay for a long period on one 
side. 
In the evening she was more inclined to eat and drink, but 
was very weak. 
January Ist saw a very decided improvement, although still 
weak and depressed. After this there was a very rapid recovery. 
She was again bitten by a Boomslang at 12.33 p.m. of 
January 23. The snake bit exceptionally well, seizing a fold 
of skin over the abdomen, holding on for about four minutes, 
and worrying it. 
481 ZT 
