SECRETION AND COLLECTION OF VENOM IN SNAKES 157 
to artificial feeding in the manner previously described (see p. 17), 
for they very often refuse to feed themselves. 
Except when a snake is moulting, the venom can be extracted 
from its glands about every fortnight; and it is better that the 
extraction be not performed concurrently with artificial feeding, 
Fic. 87.—CHLOROFORMING A COBRA IN ORDER TO COLLECT VENOM, AT THE FRENCH 
SETTLEMENT OF PONDICHERRY, IN INDIA (STAGE IT.). 
since, owing to the fact that the venom serves the animal as 
digestive juice, the reptile will soon perish if deprived of the means 
of digesting the food that it is obliged to receive. It is best, 
therefore, to select one day of the week for artificial feeding, and 
the corresponding day of the following week for the extraction of 
the venom. 
When the venom has been collected, it must immediately be 
