SNAKES OF CEYLON. 491 



but not stertorous. The breathing gradually became slower, 

 and finally ceased at 1.44 a.m.. while the heart continued to 

 beat for one minute longer.'* 



(n) Interval before Death. — The interval that elapses between 

 a cobra bite and the death thereby occasioned varies consider- 

 ably. The shortest interval that I have any record of is half 

 an hour. Fayrer reports one case that died in this short 

 interval, the bitten subject being an. adult man. The Pioneer 

 of April 27, 1908, reported a European lady, Mrs. Cockely, 

 succumbing to the bite of a cobra in half an hour. The 

 wound was inflicted on the top of her toe, and the snake was 

 killed there and then by her husband. More often the interval ' 

 that elapses amounts to hours, from about two to six hours 

 being perhaps usual. A woman, mentioned by Fayrer, died 

 after eight hours, and other cases have been reported exceeding 

 twenty -four hours. 



(o) Treatment recommended — Antivenene : This serum is 

 the only known remedy for snake bite. The Kasauli product 

 is curative for this toxaemia and that of Russell's viper. For 

 a successful issue, it is necessary (1) to inject the serum as soon 

 as possible, (2) to inject it intravenously, and (3) to inject 

 40 cc, and then be guided by results. If the symptoms are 

 not observed to wane within half an hour, the dose should be 

 repeated, or if the case is desperate, a second injection given 

 without waiting so long. 



The antivenene now issued is reckoned to retain its virtue 

 for two years at least, after which it should be rejected. If 

 the serum is old, a larger dose than 40 cc. should be injected. 

 Injections into the tissues are far less speedy in their action, 

 and a double dose would probably be necessary. 



Although cobra venom does not directly depress the heart, 

 other influences are very likely to affect that organ in cases of 

 cobra poisoning. Pain, fright, and cold are all powerful 

 depressants to cardiac activity, and may seriously endanger 

 life. It is most essential, therefore, in treating cobra poisoning 

 to look for any tendency to faintness, and treat this vigorously, 

 as recommended under Bungarus caeruleus (page 448). Anti- 

 venene of unquestionable activity, administered intravenously 



68 6(6)20 



