286 VENOMS 
is paralysed, though in other respects its bodily functions appear 
to continue; in fact, its intestine is seen to empty itself at long 
intervals. These effects are attributed by Mons. J. H. Fabre, of 
Avignon, to the direct action of the venom upon the ganglia of the 
thoracic nervous system. 
Instances of Hymenoptera belonging to the tribe Entomophaga 
actually depositing their eggs beneath the skin of man are men- 
tioned by Raphaël Blanchard. 
According to P. Fabre, the best treatment for wasp- or bee- 
stings would appear to consist in the application of strong saline 
solution, or a liniment of ammonia and olive oil. For my own 
part, I have tried hypochlorite of lime, in a1 in 60 solution, or eau 
de Javel diluted to 1 per cent., and have always obtained such 
excellent results from these remedies that I do not hesitate to 
advise their use. 
D.—MOou.vscs. 
Certain Gastropodous Molluscs, chiefly Murex brandaris and 
M. trunculus, possess purple glands from which it is possible to 
extract a very active venom (Raphiel Dubois)? by crushing them 
up with sand and alcohol. The alcoholic liquid, filtered and evapor- 
ated in a water-bath, yields a brown oily fluid. The subcutaneous 
injection of a few drops of this into a frog is sufficient to produce 
very decided toxic effects. Sluggishness and slowness of move- 
ment are seen to supervene fairly quickly ; reflex actions are still 
exhibited, but the animal is no longer able to jump. 
If the dose be not too strong, this condition of paresis lasts for 
several hours, and then disappears. In most cases, however, the 
paresis is succeeded by complete paralysis, and the animal appears 
as though suffering from curare. Yet the fact is that the venom 
is neither curare-like nor cardiac; the heart, muscles, motor end- 
1“ Traité de zoologie médicale,” t. ii. (Paris). 
? Comptes rendus de la Société de Biologie, January 17, 1903. 
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