POISON OF SOME INDIAN VENOMOUS SNAKES. 99 



Experiment LXVIII. 



A small rabbit had two drops of diluted cobra-poison injected 

 into the jugular vein. In 30 seconds he was in convulsions, 

 and in 60 seconds was dead. 



The thorax was opened immediately ; the heart had ceased 

 to beat, and was firmly contracted. 



A large vein entering the auricle on the left side was 

 pulsating vigorously and rhythmically, though no part of the 

 heart itself showed the least trace of motion. 



Experiment LXTX. 



June 26th, 1872. — Half a drop of cobra-poison diluted with 

 ■^ c.c. of water was injected under the skin of a guinea-pig, 

 weighing about 450 grammes (1 lb.). 



At 12.13.15 the injection was made. Immediately the animal 

 became restless and cried constantly. 



At 12.15 twitching movements began in the limbs. 



At 12.16 the animal was quiet, and would not move when 

 touched. It then became restless again, and remained so till 

 12.44. 



12.44. The jugular vein was exposed, and 4 c.c. of the diluted 

 poison was injected into it (= -^ drop of poison). 



In less than 30 seconds the animal appeared to be dead. 



The thorax was opened, and the heart found to be motionless 

 and the walls of all its cavities firmly contracted. The lungs 

 were ecchymosed. 



12.55. Electrodes were inserted into the spinal cord, and an 

 interrupted current passed through it. Whenever the current 

 passed, the legs of the animal jerked vigorously. 



The blood which was collected from the large thoracic vessels 

 formed a firm coagulum. 



1.22. The cord was still irritable when excited by the induced 

 current. 



Experiment LXX. 



January 14th, 1873. — The heart of a frog was excised. It 

 beat 20 times in 1 minute. Several drops of cobra-poison were 

 (95) H 2 



