POISON OF SOME INDIAN VENOMOUS SNAKES, 11 



nearly at the same time. There is loss of co-ordinating power 

 of the muscles of locomotion. 



Htemorrhage, relaxation of the sphincters, and involuntary 

 evacuations, not unfrequently of a sanguineous or muco- 

 sanguineous character, often precede death, and it is generally 

 accompanied by convulsions. 



In fowls the appearance is one of extreme drowsiness ; the 

 head falls forwards, rests on the beak, and gradually the bird, 

 no longer able to support itself, rolls over on its side. There 

 are frequent startings, as if of sudden awaking from the drowsy 

 state.* 



The effects of the poison upon dogs, guinea-pigs, and rabbits 

 are illustrated by the following experiments. 



The poison which was first sent home and still remained 

 perfectly liquid, but had become of a dark brown, almost black 

 colour, and somewhat inspissated, was used. 



Experiment I. 



1.30. Three drops of this, diluted with water, were injected 

 into the flank of a small dog. Immediately after the injection 

 the corresponding leg was drawn up, partially paralysed. 



1.32. He walks less steadily. Tail rigidly held out. 



1.35. Is restless and whining. Walks about and then sits 

 down again. Walks unsteadily. 



1.45. There are distinct muscular twitches in the shoulder. 

 General tremor. 



1.47. There are twitching movements of the back. 



2.8. Has been standing perfectly still. Is now pawing and 

 licking his lips. Vomits. 



2.10. Vomits again, but licks up part of what he had ejected. 



2.22. Has been continually vomiting. The ejection consisted 

 at first of food, afterwards of tenacious mucus. He now lies 

 down apparently exhausted. He is still trying to vomit, but 



* In cases where tlie quantity of poison injected is large, and it is at tlie same 

 time very active, the bitten animal small and weak, or if inoculation has taken 

 place into a large vein, death is almost sudden, as if it were from shock. In 

 such cases the cardiac ganglia are also probably paralysed; at all events the 

 heart suddenly ceases to beat. 



