Dr. Fayrer's Opinion. 17 



However, it being a notable contribution, I proceed 



to make a few extracts, followed by my own com- 

 ments. 



Dr. Fayrer's Opinion of Professor Halford's Paper 

 of 1867. 



" A very thoughtful and suggestive paper in the 

 British Medical Journal of July 20, 1 867, communicated 

 by Professor Halford, of Melbourne, rendered the 

 investigation more interesting, as it seemed to indicate 

 the nature of the pathological changes induced in the 

 blood by the poison, and to point out a new direction 

 in which to study them, as well as to suggest a rational 

 antidote. It will be seen that the following experi- 

 ments, so far as they go, scarcely confirm Dr. Halford's 

 views. But, even admitting the probability of Dr. 

 Halford's theory of the cause of death, I am inclined 

 to think that it can only be of partial application. It 

 is peculiarly applicable to those cases in which, owing 

 to a smaller quantity, or less potent quality, of the 

 poison having been injected, death takes place slowly, 

 and time is allowed for blood changes to occur. But 

 it can hardly be said to explain the cause of death in 

 those cases where death occurs within a few minutes 

 after the animal is bitten by a powerful snake, and 

 where the fatal event results almost immediately, as 

 if by shock to the nervous centres." 



And he goes on to say : " The blood itself is affected 

 by the poison. I have not been able to detect any cor- 

 puscular changes, such as those described by Professor 

 Halford, nor have I any exact information on the chemi- 

 cal changes it undergoes, or may have undergone, but 



