42 ON THE NATURE AND ACTION OF THE 



It is also absorbed from the conjunctiva, and produces the 

 characteristic symptoms of poisoning. In Experiment XX the 

 animal, though affected by the poison, recovered; but in 

 several experiments made by one of us in India, death rapidly 

 occurred after the application of the fresh poison to the 

 conjunctiva {TlmnatoiMdia of India, pp. 108, 115, 127, 128, 

 135). 



Experiment XVII. 



May 21st, 1873. — 2.23 p.m. A small bit of dried cobra-poison 

 put into a frog's mouth and swallowed. 



3.25. Frog not much, if at all, affected. 



4.5. Frog not so vigorous. Appears to be paralysed in fore 

 legs, but moves his hind legs freely. On irritating his fore legs 

 there are vigorous contractions in his hind legs, but none in the 

 fore legs. 



4.10. The anterior part of the body and fore legs seem to be 

 quite paralysed. No reaction is noticed in the eyelids when 

 the cornea is irritated. Hind legs are still vigorous. 



4.20. Hind legs vigorous. All the fore part of the body quite 

 paralysed. Mouth gaping. Tongue swollen. 



4.25. Hind legs now becoming weaker. 



4.30. The application of acid causes slight reflex movements 

 in the hind legs. 



4.35. Acid causes no reflex action. Complete paralysis and 

 death have thus occurred in two hours and a quarter. 



4.40. Thorax opened. Heart still contracting rhythmically 

 and steadily. 



4.55. Heart still contracting, but less vigorously. There is 

 no movement apparent in the intestines. 



5.5. Heart still contracting slowly. 



5.25. Heart still contracting. The heart and liver were now 

 removed and given to another frog. 



Experiment XVIII. 



The heart and liver of the former frog were given to a large 

 and strong frog. It was kept under observation for many days, 

 but did not seem in the least affected. 



