20 SNAKE -POISON ANi) ITS ACTIOI^. 



bitten, and so similar in appearance to those of snake- 

 poison, that sometimes it is by no means easy to 

 decide which of the two is in operation, and that only 

 those cases are of real value to the observer from 

 which this element of fear is completely excluded. 



A.— Action on the Anterior Cornua of the 

 Spinal Cord. 



The anterior cornua are almost invariably the first 

 of the motor-centres attacked by the snake-poison, the 

 affection (commencing with paresis and in serious cases 

 generally culminating in paralysis) beginning in the 

 lumbar ganglia and taking an upward course. The 

 lower extremities feel unnaturally heavy and a paretic 

 condition of the muscles supervenes simultaneously on 

 both sides. The walk becomes jinsteady and stagger- 

 ing, very similar to that of persons under the influence 

 of large doses of alcohol. By a powerful effort of the 

 will, however, persons in this condition are often able 

 to walk and even run for some distance, especially it 

 by prompt ligature the absorption of the poison has 

 been checked. As the affection proceeds, though still 

 able to move the legs in a sitting posture, they are 

 unable to rise again. Ere long even sitting up becomes 

 impossible and they collapse helplessly. At this 

 stage sensation is still intact, and reflex action, by 

 pricking the skin, &c., still takes place. The uppel' 

 extremities generally retain the power of voluntary 



