SNAKE VENOMS, THEIR PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION. 229 



this as to cause extensive intravascular clotting. In small doses 

 it causes, after no doubt a shorL-lived phase of increased coagulability, 

 a marked and prolonged phase of diminished coagulability, so that 

 in some instances I have noticed the shed-blood remain absolutely 

 unclotted even after 24 hours. 



(2) It has a destructive action on the red-blood cells, breaking 

 these up and setting free the colouring matter contained in 

 them. 



(3) It has a marked destructive action on the capillary walls, 

 rendering them more permeable to their fluid contents. 



(4) It has a marked depressing action on the heart, so marked, 

 indeed, as to sometimes lead to a fatal termination from this action 

 alone. 



(5) It has no action on the central nervous system ; and there 

 is therefore no paralysis ever observed. 



Such then, as far as I know it, is the physiological action of the 

 venom of the Daboia Russellii. 



As regards the Bangarus, or Krait family, I have had little or no 

 experience. From a few experiments recently made with the poison 

 of Bungarus fasciatus, it would appear that in large doses this venom 

 has the property of causing intravascular clotting, while in smaller 

 doses it causes paralytic symptoms similar to, but more prolonged 

 than, those resulting from Cobra venom. Beyond this I cannot go for 

 want of material. 



With the poison of the Eohis carinata I have, from lack of venom, 

 made no experiments whatever. 



The Treatment of Cases of Snake-bite. 

 In conclusion, I have a few words to say as regards the treatment 

 of cases of snake-bite. When we consider the terribly dramatic, even 

 tragic, circumstances attending these cases, it is not to be wondered 

 at that the treatment of cases of snake-bite has been surrounded 

 by all kinds of quackery and roguery, especially in a country like 

 India, where the people's emotional reflexes are easily stimulated 

 to belief. Who has not heard of the method, still in vogue, of ap- 

 plying the cloacse of fowls to the bite ? One after the other the fowls 

 mysteriously die almost as soon as the application is made, until 

 there is arrived a time when the poison has all been " sucked out 



