THBIE NATUEE AND EPFKOTS. 3 



perceived by the naked eye. A burning pain was com- 

 plained of in the neighbourhood of the bite, which 

 rapidly increased in intensity, and extended so as to 

 affect a circular portion of the integument of the size of 

 mn ordinary saucer; and, judging from the description 

 ^iven of it, it was very similar in character to that 

 produced by the sting of a scorpion. 



"At 12.45 A.M., or about a quarter of an hour after 

 jbeing bitten, he complained of a pain in his shoulder 

 shooting towards his throat and chest, and said he was 

 beginning to feel intoxicated ; but there was nothing in 

 his appearance at this time to indicate that he was in 

 any way under the influence of the poison. On the 

 contrary, he was quite calm and collected, and answered 

 all questions intelligently, at the same time that he was 

 fully alive to the danger of his condition. The pupils 

 were not dilated, and they contracted when exposed to 

 the light of a candle ; his pulse was normal, and there 

 was no embarrassment of the respiration. About five 

 minutes after, he began to lose control over the muscles 

 of his legs, and staggered when left unsupported. At 

 about 1 o'clock, the paralysis of the legs having increased, 

 the lower jaw began to fall, and frothy and viscid 

 saliva to ooze from the mouth. He also spoke indis- 

 tinctly, like a man under the influence of liquor. At 

 1.10 sA.M. he began to moan, and shake his head 

 frequently from side to side. The pulse was now some- 

 what accelerated, but was beating regularly. The 



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