EFFECTS OF VARIOUS AGENTS ON VENOM. 21 



CHAPTER III. 



EFFECTS OF VARIOUS AGENTS ON VENOM.. 



Effects of Various Agents on Venom. — The influence of acids, alkalies, and salts 

 on venoms has been studied by several observers, with results which vary remark- 

 ably; so that for this and for other reasons there is still room for research of this 

 nature. The questions thus brought up have a twofold interest, the one chemical 

 and the other toxic. Numerous bodies precipitate or dissolve venoms ; but among 

 those which most plainly alter these poisons, only a few so change them as to 

 lessen or destroy their poisonous efficiency. Unfortunately, that which alters the 

 poison as such, is always equally destructive to the tissues of the body, and no 

 agent as yet employed can be shown to have the power to enter the blood, and 

 there affect the venom without doing harm to other albuminous substances. So 

 far, we have learned only that amidst the agents which precipitate venom, there 

 are some which weaken or annihilate its toxic force. They can be thrown into 

 the fang tracks, and where they are made to mingle with the venom will destroy it 

 as impartially as they do the innocent tissues in which it lies. 



It may not be out of place to remark that we have made no direct study of 

 agents as antidotes. Too much yet remains to be known of these poisons before 

 we can hope to find a means of antagonizing them physiologically. Our local or 

 chemical antidotes are sufficiently effective. 



Effect of Desiccation of Venom. — Allowed to dry at ordinary temperatures, the 

 venoms retain their poisonous activity almost unaltered. When again water is 

 added they act as usual, except that, owing perhaps to imperfections in redissolu- 

 tion, they do not produce as much local effect within as short a time as do the 

 fresh fluid venoms. Neither, it may be added, is the general toxic influence quite 

 as rapid when venom has been once desiccated. 



The Effects of Various Agents on the Toxicity of Venoms. Age. — Some fresh venom 

 of the Grotalus horridus was dissolved in an equal quantity of pure glycerine and 

 the vial corked and sealed in 1863. In November, 1882, the contents of the vial 

 were examined. The solution was perfectly clear, and had at the bottom a small 

 mass of what appeared to be a fungous growth. Some of the venom was now 

 injected into various animals to test its toxicity. The following experiment attests 

 its power : — 



Experiment. — Pigeon. Injected, at 5:12 P.M., into the muscles of the thigh 

 about six drops of the above glycerin solution. 

 5:14. Animal decidedly weakened. 

 5:25. There is considerable blackening of the tissues about the point of injection, the parts 



