204 SOME EXPERIMENTS WITH THE 
water solution—about twelve mimims—was then injected subcutaneously in front of the shoulder of a pigeon 
at 3.18 P.M. In three minutes the pigeon was no longer able to stand, and fell over on its side with eyes 
closed. At the end of the tenth minute the bird was unable to hold up its head when raised by its wings. 
During the eleventh minute respiration was in gasps, and at the end of the eleventh minute the pigeon 
was dead. [No local effects; heart beating regularly. | 
ExPERIMENT II.—Nov. 12, 1896. Monster was caused to bite seven times during about as many 
minutes. Saliva then dissolved in about seventy minims of water, of which ten minims were injected 
under the skin in front of right shoulder of pigeon, at 11.24 A.M. 
11.28. Pigeon barely able to walk. 
11.29. Not able to walk. 
11.30. Cannot stand; lies on side; eyes closed. 
11.31. Head nods; respiration is forced. 
11.32. Muscular straining; head drawn back between shoulders. 
11.33-38. Respiration greatly forced; bill opens and shuts with each breath. 
11.89. Violent contractions of caudal muscles. 
11.40. Violent contractions of head and wings. 
11.40}. Head falls forward onto table. 
11.404. Death. 
No local effects; ventricles empty, auricles full of clots; blood almost black. 
Tf these experiments leaye any room to doubt that the bite of the Gila Monster is 
poisonous it is entirely removed by the results of a large number of experiments which I 
afterwards performed and in which death followed the injection of Heloderma saliva quite 
as certainly and almost as quickly as when rattlesnake yenom is used. 
It now became of interest to learn whether this powerful poison is affected by boiling 
or decay, or the presence of alcohol, ete. 
The Kyfect of Boiling.—Two experiments were performed which show that the 
poisonous properties of the saliva are not injured by boiling. The solution becomes 
opalescent and, if boiling be prolonged, loses its odor or gives off one similar to that of 
boiled barley. . 
EXPERIMENT IIT.—Noy. 12, 1896. The Heloderma was caused to bite seven times during about as 
many minutes. Saliva then dissolved in about seventy minims of water. Ten minims of this solution, 
having been boiled a few seconds, were injected under the skin of the right shoulder of a pigeon, at 
2.21 P.M. The temperature of the pigeon before injection was 104° F. 
2.22. Sits down, but is able to stand when frightened. 
2.26. Sits down. 
2.27. Sits down immediately after being caused to stand, seems dizzy. 
2.29. Lies on side; temperature 100°. 
2.54. Cannot stand; temperature 98°. 
2.36. Violent respiration; temperature 96°. 
