EFFECTS OF VARIOUS AGENTS ON VENOM. 37 



Alum added to saturation does not precipitate the peptone, although it precipi- 

 tates all of the coagulable proteids. 



The following is the experiment with Cobra venom: — 



Experiment. — Dissolved 0.015 gram dried venom in 0.5 c. c. distilled water and 

 added alum to saturation (16° C). 



4:32. Injected into the breast muscles of a pigeon. 

 4:50. Down. 

 4:52. Dead. 



This last experiment is of interest in proving that even so powerful an astringent 

 as alum is not sufficiently strong to prevent the prompt absorption of the poison. 

 Death followed in twenty minutes. 



Chlorine Water. — This reagent does not seem to exert any influence. 

 Experiment. — Dissolved 0.015 gram Crotalus adamanteus venom in 0.5 c. c. dis- 

 tilled water and added 0.5 c. c. fresh chlorine water. 

 4:28. Injected into the breast muscles of a pigeon. 

 4:52. Down. 

 5:10. Dead. 



Bromine. — The action of bromine in bromohydric acid solution is very marked. 

 Experiment. — Powdered 0.015 gram dried Crotalus adamanteus venom in a 

 mortar and added 2 gtt. of bromine in 4 or 5 gtt. bromohydric acid, then added 

 0.5 c. c. alcohol. 



5:05. Injected into the breast of a pigeon. 

 5:30. No effect. 

 Twenty-four hours. No effect. 



This experiment was repeated once with Crotalus venom and once with Cobra, 

 using water as the diluent instead of alcohol. In both experiments we found a 

 similar result, thus proving that the activity of the venom is completely destroyed 

 by this reagent. 



Iodine. Experiment. — Dissolved 0.015 gram dried venom of Crotalus ada- 

 manteus in 0.33 c. c. distilled water, then added 0.5 c. c. tr. iodine which formed a 

 dense brown precipitate. 



5;0T. Injected into the breast of a pigeon. 

 No poisonous effects within twenty-four hours. 



If, however, the amount of iodine be much smaller the venom is still potent, as 

 is shown by the following experiment. 



Experiment. — Dissolved the venom as above, then added 1 drop tr. iodine and 

 afterwards 1 c. c. distilled water. 



4:56. Injected into the breast of a pigeon. 

 5:05. Weak. 

 5:15. Dying. 



Iodine -f- Potassic Iodide. Experiment. — Dissolved 0.015 gram dried venom of 

 Crotalus adamanteus in 0.5 c. c. distilled water, then added a saturated solution of 

 equal parts of tr. iodine and potassic iodide. 



4:41. Injected the above into the flank of a small rabbit (half grown). 

 The auimal died in about eighteen hours. 



