142 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



blood from the mucous membranes of tlie mouth, followed by 

 vomiting. 



Meanwliile tlie wound was also slowly oozing blood, and the 

 muscles in the \icinit3^ were somewhat swollen. He was then 

 taken tp Dr. Bruce, who declared him to be suffering unmis- 

 takably from the effects of virulent poison, which was seriously 

 affecting the blood and mucous membranes. During the night 

 Williams' condition graduall}^ became more alarming, and he 

 was taken to the Provincial Hospital the following day in a 

 state of utter collapse. He steadily grew worse, and blood 

 oozed continuously from all the mucous surfaces, \dz. the mouth, 

 nose, stomach, bladder, and bowels. Then the blood began to 

 accumulate in the tissues, and caused large blackish-purplish 

 swollen patches under the skin. One eye and its surrounding 

 tissues, both forearms for two-thirds their length, a portion of 

 the abdomen, hip, and thigh, were all charged with' extra- 

 vasated blood, presenting a dreadful sight. Other parts, in- 

 cluding portions of the back, left eye, and cheek, were slightly 

 discoloured. 



The venom of the Boomslang evidently contains a poison 

 wliich acts upon the endothehal cells lining the capillaries. This 

 action is particularly characteristic of the poison of the CrotalincB 

 (Rattlesnakes), and is most marked after poisoning by the 

 South American vipers of the genus Lachesis, and S. African 

 adders. 



Flexner has given the name " hctmorrhagins " to the con- 

 stituents of poisons possessing this action, and regards them as 

 special cytohsins for endothelial cells. 



Between Life and Death. 



WilUams rapidly grew worse after the second day in hospital, 

 severe abdominal pains setting in and inability to retain even 

 water in the stomach. From this time he rapidly grew worse, 

 and on the evening of the tliird day after being bitten I went to 

 the hospital, accompanied by Mr. \\'illiam Armstrong, J. P., who 

 took what he believed to be liis djdng deposition, the doctor 

 declaring him to be in an extremely critical condition, which 

 might result in death before the morning. He lingered on in 



