518 SNAKES OF CEYLON. 



the skin is cold and often bedewed with sweat. There are no 

 paralyses such as we see in Colubrine toxaemiae. Concurrently 

 with these effects on the nervous system, others depending on 

 the altered state of the blood are most likely to be exhibited, 

 as bleedings from various mucous orifices, or beneath the skin, 

 or invisible haemorrhages into serous cavities. The watery 

 state of the blood may occasion oedema in dependent parts, 

 or in organs, especially the lungs.- Death from cardiac or 

 respiratory failure may terminate this toxaemia, or these 

 symptoms may decline, and the patient appear as if about to 

 recover. A repetition of the above may occur, or recovery 

 may pass on to the third form of toxaemia. 



The sub-acute or chronic poisoning appears to be connected 

 with the local state of the wounds, which, from the intensely 

 virulent nature of the poison, are very apt to be seen in a 

 sloughing condition, favouring the development of septic 

 germs. In the course of a few days, added to the general 

 depression, emaciation sets in and anaemia, which will depend 

 in degree largely upon the extent of the haemorrhages. The 

 enfeebled state of the system can oppose little resistance to the 

 effects of invasion of any germs into the local wounds, and 

 various forms of blood-poisoning, including tetanus, may 

 result. Diarrhoea may occur, albumen appears in the urine, 

 and the patient ultimately dies of exhaustion from haemor- 

 rhages, or from blood-poisoning, the effects of invading 

 germs that have gained entry into the local wounds. This 

 state of affairs, however, need not necessarily prove fatal. 



Local Signs of Ddboia Poisoning * 



The local effects in daboia poisoning are usually very severe. 

 Extravasations of blood are likely to occur in the neighbour^ 

 hood of the punctures, the various tissue cells are destroyed 

 by the virulence of the poison, and a slough forms, which when 

 separated leaves a deep ragged ulcer. 



* The signs are seen in most cases of Viperine poisoning, and to a 

 less degree in Colubrine poisonings of every kind. 



