POISON OF SOME INDIAN VENOMOUS SNAKES. 13 



4.30. The chin is twitched towards the sternum once or 

 twice, the hind feet at the same time being twitched back- 

 wards. The eyes open widely, Slight convulsive extension 

 of limbs. 



4.31. Eespiration has stopped, cornea is insensible; thorax 

 opened immediately. There were large extravasations of blood 

 under the skin of abdomen and thorax, and under the skin of 

 the left hip. Heart beating vigorously. 



The muscles contracted on direct irritation. The foot 

 twitched when the sciatic nerve was exposed and irritated by 

 an interrupted current. The peristaltic movements of the 

 intestine were active after the abdomen was opened. 



Experiment ITI. 



Dissolved 5 milligrammes of dried cobra-poison which had 

 collected round the stopper of the bottle containing it in 

 14 c.c. of water, and injected it under the skin of the left hip 

 of a guinea-pig, weighing 790 grammes. 



In f of a minute after the injection the animal became 

 restless and uneasy and began to cry. 



1|- minute it began to give little starts. 



3J'. The starting motions became greater, the hind quarters 

 of the animal being jerked upwards, and the chin drawn in 

 towards the body ; continues to cry. 



4J'. Passes water. 



7'. Less restless. 



15'. Washed out the watch-glass in which the cobra-poison 

 had been placed with about -|- c.c. of water, and injected it as 

 before. Immediately afterwards the restlessness increased. 



24'. Seems to be trying to vomit. 



27'. It cannot walk rightly. 



28'. The hind legs are paralysed and spread out laterally 

 from beneath it. 



29'. Eespiration very slow and deep. The animal lies 

 quiet, but convulsive twitches of the limb follow almost every 

 respiration. 



Eespiration 8 in J a minute. 



