EFFECTS OF VARIOUS AGENTS ON VENOM. 27 



In a subsequent experiment the solution of venom was boiled for forty minutes. 

 Three minutes after the injection the pigeon vomited ; no other toxic symptoms 

 were observed. In another experiment, in which the venom was boiled for one 

 hour, no symptoms occurred but vomiting. Both of these pigeons were watched 

 for three days, but in neither of them did any poisonous symptoms ensue. 



The Effects of Alcohol. — When alcohol is added to fresh venom or to an aqueous 

 solution of venom a copious white precipitate occurs. The following experiments 

 were made to determine if the active principles were entirely precipitated by the 

 alcohol, and if the precipitate was poisonous. 



Experiment. — Four drops of the venom of the Crotalus adamanteus were placed 

 in 1 c. c. absolute alcohol. The precipitate was filtered and washed with an addi- 

 tional amount of alcohol, the filtrate then being evaporated spontaneously to 1 c. c. 



The precipitate was placed in 1 c. c. distilled water and injected into the breast 

 muscles of a pigeon at 5:11. 

 5:17. Too weak to stand. 

 5:21. Dead. There was very little local effect. 



The filtrate was injected into another pigeon, as above, at 5:22. 

 5:26. Vomits; no further effects. 



From this experiment it is obvious that the presence of alcohol does not destroy 

 toxicity. Further observations were made to learn the effect of a more prolonged 

 action, and" if the precipitate was soluble in water. 



Experiment. — 0.06 gram of dried Crotalus adamanteus was dissolved in 3 minims 

 of distilled water and this was added to 3 c. c. absolute alcohol (Squbb's) causing a 

 dense precipitate. The mixture was allowed to stand for three days. It was then 

 filtered, the precipitate being several times washed with the filtrate and finally with 

 fresh absolute alcohol. 



The precipitate was finally washed from the filter by distilled water, allowed to 

 dry, then digested in distilled water for twenty-four hours, and, after being filtered, 

 was washed with distilled water. The filtrate was cloudy, and on being allowed to 

 stand for one and a half hours cleared somewhat, there being an upper layer of 

 clear fluid and some sediment. 



One-fourth of the filtrate was now injected into the breast muscles of a pigeon 

 at 4.43. 



4:54. Unable to stand. 



5:10. Dead. There is exceedingly little local effect. The tissues at point of injection 

 are suffused with blood. 

 5:45. Blood still fluid. 



To one-fourth of the filtrate one minum of acetic acid was added, which caused 

 the mixture to become clear. 



4:41. Injected into a pigeon as above. 

 4:52. Rocking. 

 4:54. Down. 



5:58. Dead. There is absolutely no local effect and there is no svffusion of blood in the 

 tissues as in the previous experiment. 



