THE VENOMS. 89 



particularly acids, they behave like albuminoids; 

 almost all the combinations they afford with the 

 various albuminoid reagents are active, despite 

 their insolubility. According to Gautier, they are 

 decomposed by caustic potash. 



According to numerous researches, oxidizers like 

 potassium permanganate, the hypochlorites, hydro- 

 gen peroxide, and gold chloride (in i% solution) 

 destroy the venoms; in certain cases when imme- 

 diately injected hypodermically in the poisoned 

 region, these substances are excellent antidotes 

 in vivo.* 



We shall not here enter upon a detailed study 

 of the toxic albuminoid principles of serpent-venoms ; 

 moreover, our knowledge is rather vague, as it is, on 

 a number of points. It will suffice us to know that, 

 taken altogether, the active albuminoids of these 

 venoms are numerous, and that each venom has 

 its own particular active constituents, differing 

 according to the species and variety of the snake. 



Each one of these substances acts more or less 

 rapidly, and may be associated with different 

 principles which give rise to the variability of 

 the action of these toxic agents. Among these 

 toxic albuminoids, the most virulent appear to be 

 true albumins and globulins, followed by the 



* WINTER and BLYTH: The Analyst, 1877, p. 204; LACERDA: 

 Compt. rend, de VAcad. des Sciences, xcm, p. 466; CALMETTE: 

 Annal. Instit. Pasteur, vi, p. 175, and vm, p. 278. 



