1874.] Poison of Indian Venomous Snakes. 119 



and vagus still retained a considerable amount of irritability, in Experi- 

 ments XLIV. & LXVL, is very remarkable. The want of coordination 

 between the diaphragm and the thoracic muscles in Experiment LX. is 

 not improbably due to paralysis of the phrenic nerve, though it may be 

 attributed to some alteration in the respiratory centre. Brown-Sequard 

 states that the diaphragm contains ganglia which will keep up rhythmical 

 movements in it after the central nervous system has been destroyed ; and 

 if this statement is correct, it seems probable that paralysis of the phrenic, 

 by interrupting the connexion between the respiratory centres in the 

 medulla and those in the diaphragm, may allow the movements of the 

 thoracic respiratory muscles and of the diaphragm to occur one after the 

 other instead of simultaneously. 



It is difficult to say to what extent the stoppage of respiration depends 

 on paralysis of the medulla, or of the motor nerves, in each case. Pro- 

 bably the effect of the one preponderates in some cases, and that of the 

 other in others. 



Experiment LXII. 



Nov. 29, 1872. The vagi of a cat were exposed and some dilute cobra- 

 poison injected subcutaneously. Little effect being produced, the dose 

 was repeated, and then a solution of alcoholic extract of the poison in- 

 jected subcutaneously and into the peritoneum. After the last injection 

 the animal became feebler. No vomiting. Before death slight convul- 

 sions occurred. After they ceased, a cannula was put in the trachea and 

 artificial respiration begun. Slight convulsions again appeared, but ceased 

 as respiration was continued. They recommenced when the respiration 

 was stopped, and disappeared when it was again begun. On once 

 more stopping respiration and allowing the convulsions to cease spon- 

 taneously, recommencement of the respiration caused them again to 

 appear. 



Experiment LXIII. 



July 21, 1873. A rabbit was etherized and the cerebral lobes were 

 exposed and carefully removed. 

 3 P.M. Operation finished. 



3.7. Respirations 37 per minute. 



3.8. A small quantity of cobra-poison injected into the flank. Active 

 reflex movements occur on pinching the limbs and tail, and respiration 

 also becomes more rapid. 



3.12. Respirations 96 per minute. Heart's action feeble. 



3.23. Breathing hurried. Reflex force continues active. 



Another quantity of cobra-poison injected, the two doses together not 

 making more than a moderate amount. 



3.37. Respirations very feeble. The upper part of the spinal cord, on 

 being irritated by a Faradic current, caused movements in the limbs. 

 Reflex movements still present, but much diminished. 



