442 DISEASES DUE TO J^ENOMS AND POISONS 



There is haemolysis, reduced coagulabilily and hc-ematuria. If 

 much venom is injected there is not sufficient time for some of these 

 t(j appear, such as suppuration, &c. 



On Man. — Local pain, two small puncture wounds three-quarters 

 of an inch apart exuding blood-stained fluid. Pain increases, spreads 

 up the limb; patient feels intoxicated, loses control of legs with 

 paralysis of jaw and other muscles; often profuse salivation and 

 inability to speak or swallow. Pulse and respiration increase, respira- 

 tion then decreases and stops. The heart continues to beat for a short 

 time longer. If recovery, much urine is passed. 



P.M. — Rigor mortis marked, blood fluid (coagulated in animals), 

 parotids swollen, pia mater engorged, muscles a dirty red, lungs 

 congested, bronchi contain a thin frothy fluid, right heart distended 

 with blood, liver congested and dark, bladder contracted, fatty 

 degeneration of liver and kidney, necrosis of renal and hepatic epithe- 

 lium, round-celled infiltration of bile ducts. 



The symptoms and post-mortem findings vary slightly with the 

 species of Colubrine and the amount of venom injected. 



Elapine Yenom — In Australia, where Elapines are common, the 

 symptoms are : local swelling, and pain with constitutional symptoms 

 in from one-half to two hours. Weakness of legs, prostration, vomit- 

 ing, heart weakens, extremities become cold and skin blanched. 

 Respiration is slowed, coma intervenes, sensations are diminished, 

 pupils dilate, convulsions sometimes, and death. The heart continues 

 after respiration has ceased. 



The Elaps fulvius, the harlequin snake of the Southern States of 

 America, causes great local pain and drowsiness in one hour, uncon- 

 sciousness, collapse and death in twenty-four hours. If recovery, 

 danger is not passed until the fifth day, as the symptoms tend to recur. 



Hydrophine Yenom — Almost purely neurotic. This differs from 

 the Colubrine effects as follows : It is more toxic, less h^emolytic, and 

 hence causes less stained local effusion, and does not affect the 

 coagulability of the blood. Symptoms are delayed, then there is 

 stiffness, suffocation, spasms, vomiting, convulsions, and death after 

 a day or two. Local reaction slight. 



Yiperine Yenom — That of Russell's viper is the most fatal; a dog 

 bitten may drop dead in from twentv to forty seconds. The cause of 

 death is intravascular, the clotting is most marked in the portal vein. 

 More chronic cases show much local oedema, extensive subcutaneous 

 haemorrhages, sloughing of this area (or resolution), or abscess forma- 

 tion or spreading gangrene. There is rapid emaciation, profound 

 anaemia, hematuria and mel^ena. In these cases the blood is cherry- 

 red and Avill not clot; there is bleeding everywhere. The leucocytes 

 are useless. Secondarv septicaemia is to be expected. 



