162 VENOMS 
on the contrary, it diminishes that of the venom of ViPpERIDz by 
nearly one-half. 
By using a special filter at a pressure of 50 atmospheres, C. J. 
Martin has succeeded in separating from the venom of an Australian 
Pseudechis two substances: a non-diffusible albuminoid, coagulable 
at 82° C., and a diffusible, non-coagulable albumose. The former 
produces hemorrhages ; the second attacks the nerve-cell of the 
respiratory centres. 
All venoms exhibit most of the chemical reactions characteristic 
of the proteids es 
Millon’s reaction. 
Xantho-proteic reaction (heating with nitric acid and subsequent 
addition of ammonia — orange coloration). 
Biuret reaction (caustic potash and traces of sulphate of copper). 
Precipitation by picric acid, disappearing on being heated, re- 
appearing when cooled. 
Precipitation by saturation with chloride of sodium. 
Precipitation by saturation with sulphate of magnesium. 
Precipitation by saturation with ammonium sulphate. 
Precipitation by a 5 per cent. solution of sulphate of copper. 
Precipitation by alcohol. 
According to C. J. Martin and MacGarvie Smith, the albumoses 
of the venoms of COLUBRIDÆ are hetero-albumoses, proto-albumoses, 
and perhaps deutero-albumoses in small quantities. “They can be 
separated in the following manner :— 
The solution of venom is heated to 90° C., and filtered in order 
to separate the albumins coagulable by heat. The filtrate, saturated 
with sulphate of magnesium, is shaken for twelve hours. By this 
means there is obtained a flocculent precipitate, which is placed 
upon a filter and washed with a saturated solution of sulphate of 
magnesium. The filtrate is dialysed for twenty-four hours in a 
stream of distilled water, and then concentrated, likewise by dia- 
lysis, in absolute alcohol. Thus we obtain a few cubic centimetres 
