83 THE POISONOUS SNAKES OP INDIA. 



condition. The pupils were not dilated, and tliej' 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 parah'sis of the 

 legs having increased, the lower jaw began to fall, and frothy and 

 viscid saliva to ooze from the mouth. He also spoke indistinctly 

 like a man under the influence of liquor. At 1-10 A. m. he began 

 to moan; and shake his head frequently from side to side. The 

 pulse was now somewhat accelerated, but was beating regularly. 

 The respirations were also increased in frequenc}". He was unable 

 to answer questions, but appeared to be quite conscious. His 

 arms did not seem to be paralysed. At 1-15 a.m., twentj^-five 

 minims of liquor ammonise were rapidly injected under the skin of 

 the forearm ; but as this produced no results, the basilic vein was 

 laid bare, and twenty-five minims injected into it. 



" The operation caused no amelioration in the symptoms, and the 

 condition was evidently becoming critical. He continued to moan 

 and shake his head from side to side, as if trying to get rid of 

 viscid mucus in his throat. The respirations were laboured, but 

 not stei'torous. The exteirnal juglar vein of the left side was next 

 exposed, and twenty-five minims of the liquor ammonia injected 

 into it ; but without producing any good effect. The breathing 

 gradually became slower, and finally ceased at 1-44 a.m., "\\hile the 

 heart continued to beat for about one minute longer. No convul- 

 sions preceded death, which took place in one hour and five 

 minutes after the infliction of the bite." 



Post-^nortem examination at 6 a.m., or five hours after death. 



Rigor mortis well marked ; ■ countenance placid. Nothing 

 abnormal could be noticed externally, except a slight tumefaction 

 of the bitten shoulder. The apertures formed by the fangs of the 

 snake could not be seen with the naked eye, but on removing the 

 skin extensive ecchymosis of the cellular tissue was disclosed 

 around the bitten part. The blood was everywhere fluid and of 

 a peculiar claret-like colour. 



The large thoracic and abdominal ^-eins were gorged, and all 

 the cavities of the heart were distended with the fluid blood. 



