242 TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE 



haemorrhage from the wound and mucous membranes, 

 and severe abdominal cramp. The blood is cherry- 

 coloured from solution of the red cells, and there is 

 heavy albuminuria or haematuria. Subsequently the local 

 inflammation turns to phlegmon and spreading gangrene ; 

 there is deep and extensive destruction of tissue, which 

 may end fatally in blood-poisoning and general wasting 

 several weeks after the infliction of the bite. 



In these Viperine venoms we see to a marked degree : 

 (a) the action of those toxins that particularly affect the 

 blood and vascular system ; (6) sudden onset of symptoms ; 

 and (c) liability to extensive gangrenous destruction of 

 tissues locally, if the victim survive the first effects of 

 the bite. 



(c) Effects of the Venom of Australian Elapines. 

 According to Dr. Martin, the local pain and swelling 

 are not severe,- and from fifteen minutes to two hours 

 after being bitten the victim becomes faint and lethargic. 

 He staggers and cannot stand. . Alarming symptoms of 

 shock follow, often with vomiting, the pulse becoming 

 thread-like, and the extremities cold. The victim becomes 

 comatose, with dilated pupils insensitive to light. Re- 

 spiration becomes shallower, and may cease ; or the 

 patient may rapidly recover. In some cases there is 

 bleeding from the mucous membranes. Albuminuria has 

 generally been found when looked for. The heart may 

 sometimes be felt for a few seconds after breathing has 

 ceased. 



In the venoms of the Australian Elapines the effects 

 of both classes of toxins those that act on nerve-cells, 

 and those that act on the blood and circulatory system 

 are manifest. 



(d) Effects of the Venom of Hydrophincz, or Sea-snakes. 

 In Fayrer's classical experiments the symptoms observed 

 in animals bitten by sea-snakes much resembled those 

 following cobra bite. The bite was scarcely perceptible, 

 and caused no local reaction. Death, which was rapid 

 after the onset of the symptoms, was preceded by 



