THEIR NATURE AND EFFECTS. 61 



which completely pass off, may be noticed ahout five or 

 ten minutes after the bite. 



Supposing convulsions to have occurred, the animal 

 will either be found to be completely paralysed, or will 

 ultimately become so. It is occasionally, though by no 

 means universally, noticed that there is a greater loss 

 of power in the hind-legs than in the fore, which is 

 probably due to the exhaustion produced by the violent 

 nervous discharges, which are often particularly severe 

 in the hind-legs. Respiration, directly after the con- 

 vulsions, may be quite absent ; it re-commences 

 generally slowly at first, and then becomes very rapid. 

 The pupils are, after the convulsions, widely dilated, 

 though after a time they may begin to contract again. 

 The respirations, too, ultimately become slower, and the 

 paralysis more profound. Sanious discharges take place 

 from the rectum and other orifices, and finally respira- 

 tion stops. 



Should convulsions not take place, the history is that 

 of advancing paralysis. The respirations and pulse 

 become very greatly accelerated, and there is gradual 

 loss of power in all the limbs ; vomiting may occur. 

 Sanious discharges are observed issuing from the rectum, 

 or other parts. The pupils are usually widely dilated ; 

 the respirations then become less and less, and may 

 cease with or without convulsions. This is seen in 

 Experiment I. 



But there is a third form of death from daboia- 



