1874.] Poison of Indian Venomous Snakes. 79 



fangs, or venom has been injected, is one of the most prominent effects 

 produced by the fresh poison, whereas it is very slight, or absent alto- 

 gether, when the dried venom has been employed, except in occasional 

 instances, such as Experiment LVII. 



Dilution seems also to have no effect in lessening the activity of the 

 venom, except so far as it retards absorption ; for it is evident that a 

 drop of pure poison, injected subcutaneously, is likely to find its way into 

 the circulation more quickly than the same quantity diluted with a 

 hundred times its bulk of water. 



Coagulation of the venom by alcohol does not destroy its activity, as 

 we have shown in our former communication. The coagulum thrown 

 down by the alcohol is innocuous, or nearly so ; but the poisonous principle 

 remains in solution, and the alcoholic extract possesses similar properties 

 to the poison itself. A specimen of poison was received from India in a 

 coagulated state ; but we are uncertain whether this occurred sponta- 

 neously or was produced by the action of reagents. It is probable, how- 

 ever, that it was due to its having been mixed, in order to preserve it, 

 with alcohol, which had evaporated before we received it. It was active, 

 as Experiment XI. shows. Coagulation by boiling does not destroy the 

 activity of the poison (Experiment XII.) ; but a portion which was boiled 

 for more than half an hour under pressure corresponding to a tempera- 

 ture of 102 C., had no effect when injected under the thigh of a lark. 

 The notes of this experiment have unfortunately been lost. Admixture'' 

 with liquor ammonisB and liquor potassse does not alter the effects of 

 the poison. This appears from Experiment XIII., and from several 

 made by Dr. Fayrer in India. 



Experiment XI. 



October 28th, 1872. A fresh supply of poison was received from 

 India. It was of a yellowish colour, and was hard and dry, like tough 

 cheese. About j a grain diluted with alcohol (in which it was only 

 imperfectly soluble), was injected into the thigh of the same guineapig 

 at 4 h 14' 30". 



4.15. Twitchings of an emprosthotonic character. The animal is appa- 

 rently attempting to vomit. 



4.20. The twitchings continue. The animal throws up his head. It 

 seems sluggish, and will not walk. 



4.22. A mixture of 5 minims of liquor ammoniaB with 10 of water 

 was injected into the animal. Almost immediately afterwards it became 

 convulsed and fell over on its side, paralyzed. 



4.25. It is dying. 



4.26. Quite dead. 



4.27. The cardiac pulsations and peristaltic action of the bowels still 

 continue. The blood, when collected in a vessel, formed a firm coa- 

 gulum. 



