SYMPTOMS OF VENOM POISONING IN MAN Et 
vulsion, results from gradual cessation of respiration. The heart may beat 
for a few seconds after the cessation of respiration. In unusual cases hem- 
orrhagic extravasation from mucous surfaces occurs and the patient coughs 
or vomits blood or passes it by the rectum or kidneys. Albuminuria has 
generally been found and may be accompanied by blood or hemoglobin 
in the urine. If the patient survives the coma, recovery is complete and, as 
a rule, rapid, and without any secondary symptoms. 
ELAPS FULVIUS POISONING IN MAN. 
Many fatal cases from the bite of the coral snake have been reported and 
some of the cases will briefly be stated in order to outline the symptoms 
experienced with human subjects. 
In one case reported by True’ the bite was inflicted by a medium-sized 
Elaps fulvius on the left index finger of a man, who, while handling the snake 
by grasping it by the neck, was bitten at the moment of releasing the snake. 
Instead of a quick strike the snake fastened its fangs to the finger and bit 
hard, closing the lower jaw upon the finger. The closure of the jaws was so 
firm that it had to be wrenched off, by which operation one of the fangs was 
broken off in the wound. The first symptom, which appeared immediately 
after the bite, was a violent pain at the wound. Within one hour the first 
symptoms of drowsiness and unconsciousness made their appearance, and 
remained until the morning of the third day. After the period of lethargy and 
general depression the patient gradually recovered. There was a tendency for 
the symptoms to reappear periodically. Another patient,’ complained of the 
pain in the bitten limb* about half an hour after the accident, then deep 
lethargy and collapse set in and ended the case with death in 18 hours. In 
still other cases death usually ensued about 24 hours after the bite. It seems 
that the danger of death from the bite passes away if the victim survives 
three or four days. 
POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION. 
In cases of cobra bite rigor mortis occurs as usual. The subcutaneous 
tissue of the region of the bite is infiltrated with pinkish fluid and the neigh- 
boring vessels are congested. The blood is often fluid, and when examined 
by the microscope directly after death presents no changes. The brain 
appears to be normal, but the veins of the pia mater are usually gorged with 
blood and the ventricles often contain turbid fluid. The lungs are usually 
congested and the lining membrane of: the bronchi is intensely injected. 
Kidneys are excessively congested. 
In cases of death from the bite of the Australian species of snakes the 
appearances are about the same as those described in the cobra cases. The 
blood is almost invariably fluid, but may contain a few soft clots. The lungs 
1 Fred. W. True. American Naturalist, XVII, 1883, 26. 
2Coe. Scientific American, 1891, LXIV, 4or. 
3In most cases pain and a faint reddening of the bitten part are the onlylocal symptoms. Dis-color- 
ation, hemorrhages and extensive swelling have not been reported. 
