THE PHYSIOLOGY OF POISONING 207 



non-spore-producing variety, we find that these microbes are dis- 

 solved by the solution of venom in varying periods of time. 



On making a direct microscopical examination we see that 

 Koch's vibrios become immovable, then break up into granulations 

 and disappear in the liquid. The bacteriolysis is even more dis- 

 tinct in the case of the bacterium. The enveloping membrane 

 seems to dissolve, and the microbe appears as though composed 

 of a series of granulations placed end to end, which finally disperse 

 and disappear. 



By my instructions this bacteriolytic property of venom with 

 respect to different species of micro-organisms was studied by Noc. 

 It was especially clearly seen with the non-spore-producing bac- 

 terium of anthrax, the cholera vibrio, Staphylococcus aureus, the 

 bacillus of diphtheria, and jB. subtilis in a young culture ; it is less 

 distinct with B. pestis, B. coli, and B. typhi, is almost nil with the 

 pyocyanic bacillus and B. prodigiosus, and nil with B. tuberculosis. 



Investigations have likewise been made by Noc, and subse- 

 quently by Goebel,^ in order to determine whether cobra-venom 

 dissolves Trypanosomes. These haematozoa are more resistant 

 than bacteria, but they nevertheless end by being dissolved after 

 twenty to thirty minutes' contact in the 1 per cent, solution. 



The bacteriolytic substance in venom is distinct from that 

 which produces proteolysis, for the latter is destroyed at 80° C, 

 while the former only disappears with a temperature of and beyond 

 85° C. maintained for half an hour. It is likewise distinct from the 

 haemolysin, for this resists temperatures considerably higher than 

 85° C. Moreover, venom which has dissolved microbes until the 

 saturation point has been reached, is found to have preserved in its 

 entirety its haemolytic power upon the red corpuscles of the horse. 

 Neither does it act upon the microbes owing to the presence of 

 a cytase or alexin. The well-known characteristics of alexins are 

 hot met with here — destruction at 55° to 56° C, sensitivity to light, 

 rapid alteration at ordinary temperatures, &c. 



' Ann. Soc. Med. fie Grind, 1905, fasc. 3. 



