156 VENOMS 
hold of anything. In this way the most powerfül snake is per- 
fectly under control. 
At Pondicherry, where is collected the greater portion of the 
venom of Naja tripudians used by me for the vaccination of the 
horses that produce antivenomous serum, it is customary to chloro- 
form the snakes in order to render them easier to manipulate. 
The reptile is placed in a large covered jar, containing a pad 
of absorbent wool impregnated with chloroform (figs. 86, 87), and 
in a few minutes it is stupefied. It is then grasped by the neck 
with the hands, and the edge of a plate is slipped between its Jaws. 
On compressing the two poison-glands with the fingers, the venom 
dribbles out on to the plate. 
A detailed description of this technique will be found in a note 
kindly drawn up for me by my friend Dr. Gouzien, late head of the 
Medical Staff of the French Settlements in India, and reproduced 
further on in the section of this book devoted to documents. 
The note in question was accompanied by figs. 17, 15, 19, 86, 87, 
and 88, which are reproduced from photographs, for which I am 
indebted to the kindness of M. Geracki, Engineer of the Savanna 
Spinning Mill at Pondicherry, Dr. Lhomme, and M. Serph, Assistant 
Surgeon- Dispenser. 
The collection of the venom having been completed, the snake 
is put back into its cage again, the tail and the body being intro- 
duced first, and then the head. The lid or trap-door is half closed 
with the left hand, and, with a quick forward thrust, the right hand 
releases its grasp of the reptile and is immediately withdrawn ; 
at the same time the left hand completes the closure of the cage. 
The snake is temporarily dazed, as though stunned, and it is only 
after the lapse of a moment that it thinks of darting open-mouthed 
at the walls of its prison. 
When it is desired to procure large quantities of venom, as is 
indispensable in laboratories where antivenomous serum is pre- 
pared, the endeavour must be made to keep the snakes alive for 
the longest possible time. It then becomes necessary to resort 
