SNAKE-POISON AND ITS ACTION. 35 



principle, the nous within us, is no doubt more than 

 mere nerve action, but it can, apparently, not manifest 

 its presence without motor nerve cells in healthy 

 action. Every thought, though not synonymous, is 

 evidently synchronous with a current of motor nerve 

 force, and it is not improbable thatj by means of these 

 currents, that silent transference of thought is effected 

 from brain to brain, which modern psychology has 

 demonstrated to be not only possible but actual under 

 certain conditions. But further speculation on these 

 interesting mysteries it would be out of place here to 

 indulge in. 



F. Action on Sensory Centres and the 

 Reflexes. 



The sensory sphere remains comparatively un- 

 affected in mild cases, and in the early stages of more 

 serious ones, but when paresis has deepened into 

 paralysis, sensation becomes ever more blunted, and 

 with the advent of coma, of course, quite extinct. Re- 

 flexes, both superficial and deep ones, are also com- 

 pletely abolished at this period of the poisoning pro- 

 cess, and the nerves of special sense do not react 

 against any, even the strongest possible stimulation. 

 The eye stares vacantly into a glaring light held close 

 before it, and the widely dilated pupil shows no sign of 

 reaction. The ear also appears deaf to any noise, and 

 strong ammonia vapour is inhaled through the nose 



