THEIR NATUEE AND EFFECTS. 79 



symptoms, one of which was fatal, and the other un- 

 doubtedly would have been had the case been allowed 

 to run its course. 



In cobra-poisoning pure and simple albuminuria is 

 unknown ; but in every case of daboia-poisoning in 

 which symptoms were present, and in which six hours 

 elapsed before death, I have detected albumen in the 

 urine. It is generally not in very large quantity, but 

 is still unmistakable. Care should be taken not to 

 allow the urine secreted before the commencement of 

 the symptoms to mix with that secreted after. 



There is evidence, therefore, that daboia venom is a 

 most severe blood-poison, producing death when not 

 administered in sufficient quantities to cause serious 

 nerve symptoms, and that it is even possible for death 

 to occur quite early from this cause alone, nerve 

 symptoms not having supervened. 



The following case, related by Dr. F. M. Mackenzie, 

 shows the insidious nature of blood-poisoning induced 

 by the venom of vipers. The snake was probably the 

 Echis carinata, a congener of the daboia : — 



A Mahomedan, aged forty, was bitten by a snake 

 about a foot long, with rough scales, called by the 

 natives " oorella," on one of his fingers. The region of 

 the bite was soon after incised, but the hand and arm 

 became much swollen. He vomited, and the same day 

 passed blood with his urine and faeces, and his vomit 

 contained blood. The third day the temperature was 



