32 SNAKE-POISON AND ITS ACTION. 



out the body are in evidence, we have every reason to 

 assume. The co-ordination and automatic regulation 

 of the lower motor-centres must necessarily escape 

 observation when the function of these centres is 

 partially suspended, and when, moreover, the powerful 

 currents of nerve force the cerebellum and basal 

 ganglia receive from the motor cortical centres of the 

 cerebrum are partially if not wholly withdrawn. 



E. Action of the Motor Cortical Centres of the 



Cerebrum. 



In all but the very lightest cases of snakebite- 

 poisoning there are always symptoms manifested that 

 cannot be referred to any other cause than an invasion 

 of the centres now under consideration. They range 

 from mere stupor, confusion of thought and delirium 

 to the deepest coma, with complete extinction of con- 

 sciousness and insensibility to all external impressions. 

 Coma is a frequent and in serious cases an almost in- 

 variable symptom in Australia. After the bite of our 

 death adder only we find persons sometimes collapse 

 and expire suddenly, when still conscious and able to 

 answer questions rationally. Coma invariably develops 

 from sleep. It is, in fact, sleep intensified. An almost 

 irresistible desire to sleep is one of the first symptoms 

 to be observed. If the dose of poison imparted by the 

 snake has been small, the desire may pass off or the 

 sleep may not assume the form of coma, but in all 



