EFFECTS OF VARIOUS AGENTS ON VENOM. 39 



mixture was very thick and tarry, and would not flow from the inverted test-tube. 

 It seems from this that the full extent of the action of the permanganate on the 

 venom is not exerted for some hours. 



The permanganate is efficient in destroying the activity of Cobra venom. 

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

 and added 0.015 gram permanganate. 



4:35. Injected into the breast muscles of a pigeon. No symptoms of venom poisoning 

 within twenty-four hours. 



Peroxide of Hydrogen. — Notwithstanding the powerful nature of the peroxide 

 of hydrogen as an oxidizer, it does not seem to affect to any great extent the 

 poisonous activity of venom. Only one experiment was made. 



Experiment. — Added 3 drops of fresh venom of the Crotalus adamantens to 3 

 c. c. fresh solution of peroxide of hydrogen, specially prepared by Prof. Leeds, of 

 Hoboken. 



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



5:15. Unable to stand; decided local effects appearing. 



6:05. Dead, with all the usual phenomena of venom poisoning. 



The quantity of peroxide of hydrogen used in this experiment was so large that 

 the test was a satisfactory one. 



Argentic Nitrate. — Notwithstanding the powerful action of nitrate of silver on 

 albuminoids it does not seem to possess great power to disturb the toxicity of 

 venom. 



Experiment. — Dissolved 0.015 gram of dried venom of Crotalus adamanteus in 

 3 c. c. distilled water, to which was afterwards added 0.015 gram nitrate of silver, 

 forming a decidedly milky solution. 



4:40. Injected into the breast of a pigeon. 

 4:50. Down ; deep breathing, gasping. 

 4:53. Dead. 



As there was a possibility of the quantity of salt being insufficient for the amount 

 of venom, another experiment was made in which double the weight of nitrate 

 was used. The mixture was injected into the breast of a pigeon. At the end of 

 three days no symptoms of venom poisoning had occurred. 



Mercuric Chloride. — When mercuric chloride is added to a solution of Crotalus 

 or Moccasin venom a dense precipitate occurs, consisting of all the proteids in 

 solution. In order to learn if the precipitated proteids still retained any toxic 

 power we dissolved 0.03 gram of dried venom of the Crotalus adamanteus in 1 

 c. c. distilled water and then added 0.03 gram mercuric chloride. The precipitate 

 was collected on a filter and repeatedly washed with distilled water. During this 

 washing the precipitate seemed to diminish a little in quantity, and was no doubt 

 partially dissolved. 



3:30. The precipitate in 1 c. c. distilled water was injected into the breast of a pigeon. 



6:00. No symptoms up to this time. 



Twenty-four hours — the animal showed no signs of venom poisoning. 



Ferrous Sulphate. — Three experiments were made with the sulphate of iron 

 with results materially different; the difference no doubt depending upon the mode 



