78 VENOMOUS SNAKES AND THE PHENOMENA OF THEIR VENOMS 
turbidity, except the insoluble particles, which are nothing but epithelia, cel- 
lular débris, and spherical refractory albuminoid granules. 
Venom dries quickly to a solid mass when exposed to an air-current at 
low temperature (about 35° C. or even as low as 15° C.) or placed in a vacuum 
desiccator over concentrated sulphuric acid or calcium chloride. When dried 
at a lower temperature, which does not bring about coagulation of the albu- 
minous constituents, venom retains its original hue, slightly intensified 
through concentration, and presents the appearance of an aggregation of 
crystals due to the cracking of the dried substances. Dried venom is more 
brittle than the dried egg-albumin and resembles more the dried serum in this 
respect. In a cracked condition it consists of small, yellowish, fragile, trans- 
parent or translucent particles of varying sizes. Dried venom retains its 
original solubility in water or weak saline solution for an indefinite length of 
time, together with its toxicological properties in unaltered strength and 
quality. It absorbs moisture quite readily and shows strong adhesiveness. 
Snake venom in watery or weak saline solution undergoes putrefactive de- 
composition through multiplication of some bacteria, and gives an unpleasant 
odor. The toxic properties of the venom disappear from such decomposed 
solution. 
In 1860 Weir Mitchell studied the effects of various chemicals upon the 
crotalus venom, and his results are given in the report of his work in connec- 
tion with Reichert. Mitchell also studied the effect of boiling upon the 
activity of the crotalus venom. He found that boiling a solution of the 
venom, which contained 10 to 12 drops of the venom in 8 c.c. of water, for 10 
to 15 minutes, produced a dense coagulum and separated out a pearl-colored 
supernatant fluid. ‘The coagulum was found to be innocuous, while the fil- 
trate was speedily fatal. From the filtrate he precipitated active substances 
by alcohol; when dried it presented a pale-yellowish tint, and it gave neutral 
reaction when redissolved in sufficient volume of water. It gave positive reac- 
tion to Millon’s test and to cupro-potassa test. He designated this substance 
crotaline. A general qualitative analysis of the rattlesnake venom was sum- 
marized as follows, and it may be mentioned that, although he later made 
slight modifications in regard to the proteid constituents, the facts in general 
will remain established. 
(zt) An albuminoid body (crotaline) not coagulable by heat of 1too® C. 
(2) An albuminoid compound coagulable at 100° C. 
(3) A coloring matter and an undetermined substance, both soluble in 
alcohol. 
(4) A trace of fatty matter. 
(5) Salts (chlorides and phosphates). 
According to Mitchell, crotalus venom does not contain any noticeable 
quantity of potassium sulphocyanide. : 
