HO THE VENOM OF HELODEBMA. 



TABLE 4. Nephrectomized rabbits infused ivith venom-sodium-chloride solution. 



For every 1,000 c.c, infused: 



Ascitea 104 



Intestinal fluid 130 c.c. 



Thus, in spite of the fact that the addition of venom causes a lowering of 

 the blood-pressure, the transudation of fluid into the peritoneal cavity is not 

 diminished and the transudation of fluid into the intestines is increased, if the 

 venom is added to the NaCl solution before the infusion. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



(1) The addition of venom to sodium-chloride solution which is infused 

 intravenously into rabbits causes a marked and rapid fall of blood-pressure. 

 If the infusion is extended over some time, the pressure continues to fall 

 gradually. 



(2) This fall of blood-pressure is due to the organic constituents of venom. 



(3) The addition of adrenalin to the venom-sodium-chloride solution coun- 

 teracts only to a slight extent the blood-pressure-lowering effect of the venom, 

 and it is probable that eventually if the infusion were continued over a suf- 

 ficiently long period of time, the influence of the venom would overcome 

 the action of the adrenalin. 



(4) The addition of venom to the infused sodium-chloride solution dimin- 

 ishes the secretion of urine. Since the diuresis curve varies with the blood- 

 pressure curve it is probable that venom does not cause a decrease in diuresis 

 by a direct action on the kidney, but through its influence on the general arte- 

 rial blood-pressure. 



(5) The rapid intravenous injection of a large dose of venom into a rabbit 

 which is being infused with sodium-chloride solution causes a marked and very 

 rapid fall of blood-pressure which is accompanied by a very marked decrease in 

 the secretion of urine. When the infusion is continued the blood-pressure rises 

 again and the diuresis increases. 



(6) Animals which are being infused with sodium-chloride solution will 

 resist the intravenous injection of a quantity of venom which under normal 

 conditions would be lethal. This resistance is probably due to the rapid elim- 

 ination of the venom. 



(7) The addition of venom to the sodium-chloride solution appears to 

 have no influence on the production of ascitic fluid, while it causes an increase 

 in the elimination of fluid into the intestinal cavity, notwithstanding the 



owered blood-pressure. 



