SNAKE TOXINES. 227 



The hsemolytic function of the cobra venom was attached 

 quantitatively to this lecithide, whereas the neurotoxic function 

 remained absolutely unaffected by the lecithin. The lecithide 

 possessed only hsemolytic powers, while the neurotoxic function 

 was retained exclusively by the residual poison. 



The lecithide is insoluble in ether and acetone, but dissolves 

 in chloroform, alcohol, and toluene, and is readily soluble in 

 water. Its properties are thus quite distinct from those of its 

 two components. On standing in aqueous solution it becomes 

 gradually insoluble without losing its hsemolytic power. It does 

 not separate out from a hot solution. It does not give the 

 biuret reaction. It dissolves all blood-corpuscles equally, and in 

 contradistinction to this function of the poison itself, does so 

 without a period of incubation. The lecithide is hardly affected 

 by a temperature of 100 C. Its action, like that of the fresh 

 venom, is prevented by cholesterin. Closely analogous lecithides 

 have been obtained from all the other hsemolytic snake poisons 

 examined, including those of Both/rops, Naja haje, Bungarus, 

 Trimeresurus, and Crotalus. Thus the same " lecithinophile " 

 group is invariably present, even though the amboceptors may 

 differ in other respects. 



Leucocidine of Snake Venoms. Sterile exudations containing 

 20 to 25 per cent, of lymphocytes were obtained by the intra- 

 pleural injection of the dead cells of B. megatherium (FLEXNER 

 and NOGUCHI). Cobra venom in solutions containing 0-002 per 

 cent, acted upon these, the action of the other venoms being 

 weaker. The movements of the leucocytes cease first; then 

 follows the decomposition of the cells, and, finally, that of the 

 lymphocytes. In the case of washed leucocytes little more than 

 agglutination occurred. FLEXNER and NOGUCHI concluded from 

 their experiments on the modes of combination that the agglutin- 

 ines were identical with, but the lysines different from, the 

 corresponding agents of the red blood-corpuscles. The leucolysine 

 was also of complex structure. 



Summary. We have thus in snake venoms four distinct active 

 principles, the proportions of which show great variations. 



1. Hcemagglutinines. These are destroyed by a 0-2 per cent, 

 solution of hydrochloric acid in twenty-four hours, and in a short 

 time by heating them to 75 C. 



2. Hcemorrhagine (principally in crotalus venom). This is 

 only destroyed after about two days by hydrochloric acid (2 per 

 cent.) and pepsin-hydrochloric acid, and can resist the temperature 

 of an incubating oven. 



3. Hcemolysine, which is very slowly destroyed by hydrochloric 



