38 INDIAN SNAKE POISONS, 



having been more slowly absorbed, when no marked 

 change occurs for some time, and then some irregularity 

 in respiration is noticed, and the respiratory action is 

 soon, but, at the same time, gradually abolished ; the 

 convulsions of asphyxia may terminate life. This mode 

 of death is very commonly seen in dogs which have 

 been bitten by vigorous cobras. Lastly, there is that 

 gentle primary stimulation of the respiratory function 

 which is shown only by acceleration, and which is soon 

 followed by lessening and retardation of the respiratory 

 movement, and, finally, by its complete cessation. This 

 appears to be the way in which cobra-poison in the vast 

 ma,iority of cases destroys the human subject. 



It should be noted that, though the final convulsions 

 of asphyxia which occur in cobra-poisoning can be .re- 

 moved at will by artificial respiration, and that they 

 recur when the aeration of the blood is stopped, yet that 

 the process of natural respiration cannot be restored by 

 these means after it has once ceased, though the action 

 of the heart and life may be prolonged for some time. 



Effect of Cobra-poison on the Circulation, Tem- 



PERATDRE, SPECIAL SENSES, SeORETION, AND THE 



Blood. 



Cobra-poison cannot be said to exercise a very great 



effect on the circulation. The heart can be kept acting, 



and the blood circulating, for very many hours* after 



the rest of the functions of the body have been 



