250 Poison of the Viper. 



expectation; Till the month of October last, all the facts 

 known respecting the bite of these animals attested that 

 their poison was mortal, cither to man or to the small ani- 

 mals subjected to experiment. It was therefore necessary 

 to ascertain whether it would be equally prejudicial to 

 stronger animals, such as the horse: one procured for this 

 purpose laboured indeed under a disease of the breast, but he 

 was still strong, ate and drank, and, according to every ap- 

 pearance, likely to live two months longer. He fed on grass 

 Mhile preparations were made for the experiment, and gave 

 no signs of his respiration being confined. He was bit in 

 the cheek in two difierent places, and immediately after the 

 part swelled in a sensible manner. As no remedy was ap- 

 plied, the tumour increased, and advanced to the neck, the 

 iK;ad became deformed by the size of the tumour, which was 

 more sensible on one side; respiration became quick and 

 very laborious j the cxtrcn)ities cold ; and he died at the end • 

 of fourteen hours. The opening of the body, which was 

 performed by veterinary artists, showed that the tumor was 

 visibly gangrenous. 



Ai the end of October, another horse, but stronger and 

 inorc vigorous than the preceding, though he had been sub- 

 ject tor several years to a lienterv, but in a state of conva- 

 lescence, was subjected to a new experiment; he was bit in 

 the lower lip by the same viper which had occasioned the 

 death of the forjucr. The same symptons took place ; that 

 is to say, the part was sensibly tumified; but a remedy being 

 applied in time, under the direction of Dr. Paulet, he had 

 the satisfaction next day, at noon, of observing that the dan- 

 gerous symptoms had disappeared, and that the horse was 

 ui a good state, though weak from fatigue and the loss of 

 blood he had sustained the preceding evening. Three days 

 after, being lit for labov.r, he performed a journey of three 

 leagues with a carriage, and mounted by a postillion, and, at 

 the same time, v.-as tnired of his lientery. 



A third ex|)erin>ent was nuide, a few days after, on an- 

 other horse beli)nging to a veterinary artist, who took char<re 

 of his treatuieat; he gave bin) proper drink; but, on the 

 third d;iy, he was not eaiirely cured of his tumor, which was 

 still livid in the centre. 



" Ft may be eoneludc.l," savs Dr. Paulet, " from these 

 experiments, that tlie bite of this reptile may be fatal to a 

 horse which ree^ives no assiscance; but that if a remedy be 

 applied, ht, iuay be speedilv and easily cured ; and that the 

 same treatment is applicable to man, and aflbrds hopes of a 

 similar result." 



t) Such 



