POISON OF SOME INDIAN VENOMOUS SNAKES. 21 



Experiment VIII. 



July, 1872. — A drop or two of cobra-poison diluted with 

 water was injected into the thigh of a strong fowl. Shortly- 

 after it began to droop. It then seemed drowsy, and crouched 

 down with the beak resting on the ground ; it then fell over on 

 its side. The comb and wattles lost their bright red colour, and 

 became dusky. Almost simultaneously convulsions occurred, 

 A cannula was quickly inserted into the trachea, and artificial 

 respiration commenced. The comb rapidly regained its bright 

 colour, and the convulsions ceased. On the artificial respiration 

 being discontinued the lividity of the comb reappeared, and con- 

 vulsions again began. The experiment was repeated about ten 

 times, and on each occasion the convulsions disappeared when- 

 ever the blood became arterial, as shown by the bright colour of 

 the comb, and reappeared when the blood became venous. After 

 discontinuing artificial respiration, the convulsions returned and 

 the fowl died. 



Experiment IX. 



November 7th, 1872. — A cannula was placed in the trachea 

 of a rabbit. 



12.57. A small quantity of cobra-poison w^as injected into the 

 hip. Symptoms of poisoning came on slowly. 



1.25. The animal is still breathing, but the limbs are almost 

 completely paralysed. Artificial respiration begun. Tempera- 

 ture in the rectum, 101°' 8. 



1.37. Paralysis is now complete. The animal is perfectly 

 motionless, and not the slightest movement of the eyelids occurs 

 when the cornea is touched. Temperature in rectum, 100°'8. 



1.55. The animal appears quite dead, but the heart pulsates 

 vigorously. 



2.30. Cardiac pulsations as before. Temperature, 98°"6 E. 



2.32. Heart as before. Temperature, 97°. 



4.10. Heart still beats vigorously. Temperature, 95°'4. The 

 continuance of the artificial respiration was now entrusted to an 

 assistant. 



5. Heart beating well. 



