EFFECTS OF SNAKE VENOM. 



361 



be separated. These fall to the bottom but retain all their 

 original poisonous properties. 



The solution (filtrate) is not poisonous. The poisonous 

 principles of the venom which have been precipitated, if injected 

 under the skin of an animal, will cause death just as rapidly as 

 if the pure unaltered venom had been injected. It will thus be 



Fig. 144. 



Dissection of head of Puff Adder showing poison gland, duct, and fang in situ. 



Head of a Puff Adder showing the front active pair of fangs covered with the 

 protective sheath, known as the Vagina Dcntis. When at rest the active 

 fangs, and dupHcates, lie carefully covered up within this sheath. 



Back view of the head of a Cape Cobra {Xaia flavci). 



Head of a Cape Cobra showing the grooved fangs, which are small in comparison 

 with those of the Puff Adder. 



seen that alcohol, even if it were possible to drink it in the absolute 

 or pure form, would not destroy the venom in the slightest. 



The venoms of all snakes are rendered harmless after boiling 

 several hours. Adder poison is destroyed more or less after a 

 few minutes' boiling, but Cobra venom resists the action of heat 

 much longer.* When boiled in solution with water, or raised to 



* The haemorrhagin in Adder venom is destroyed when heated to 75° C. 

 for a few minutes. 



