SNAKES OF CEYLON. 489 



proof of the absorption of Venom ; if absent, it is probably 

 equally good proof of the failure of the poison to have reached 

 the tissues. 



How intensely irritant the venom is locally is apparent from 

 the rapidity of th3 symptoms noted above, added to which is 

 the fact that in many cases, where the bitten subject recovers, 

 the tissues involved actually mortify, and are thrown off as a 

 slough. Occasionally, one sees natives with withered limbs 

 stated to be due to the effects of a snake bite. 



General: The constitutional effects are a gradual but 

 rapidly advancing paralysis, due to the action of the poison 

 on the brain and cord. Sooner or later the bitten subject 

 complains of weakness in the legs, and is prompted to recline 

 rather than walk or sit. This weakness creeps up the trunk, 

 and affects the muscles of the neck, so that the head droops ; 

 the muscles of the tongue, lips, and throat, so that speech 

 becomes difficult, the lower lip falls away from the teeth, and 

 allows the saliva to dribble, and swallowing becomes difficult or 

 impossible. The eyelids too droop, giving a sleepy expression 

 to the face. While these paralyses are waxing, the respiratory 

 function becomes affected, breathing difficult, then laborious. 

 and finally death from respiratory failure ends the scene. 

 Among other toxic symptoms may be mentioned nausea or 

 actual vomiting, and, not infrequently, haemorrhages from 

 various orifices, as a result of the action of the poison on the 

 blood, altering its composition, reducing its coagulability, and 

 dissolving the red blood cells. 



An easy aid to remember the essential action of the poison 

 is supplied in the word " COBRA," CO stands for COrd and 

 BRA for BRAin, implying that it is the central nervous system 

 that is in the main affected. Again " C O B R ? ' stand for 

 Coagulation Of Blood Reduced, and the final A gives the mode 

 of death, viz., by Asphyxia. 



(m) Illustrative Case : Cases of cobra toxaemia are very 

 seldom well reported, even by the medical profession, a great 

 deal being often left to the imagination. I will give one 

 example that was excellently recorded by Dr. Hilson a£ 



