217 



CHAPTER X. 



TOXICITY OF THE BLOOD OF VENOMOUS SNAKES. 



Sevebal physiologists, among ' whom it is right to mention 

 Pontana,! Leydig,^ Eeichel,^ Eaphael Blanchard,* Phisalix and 

 Bertrand,^ and S. Jourdain," have pointed out the presence of 

 poison-glands in Tropidonotus natrix or other non-venomous snakes, 

 and have explained the immunity enjoyed by these animals with 

 regard to venom as being due to the existence of an internal 

 secretion of this poison. 



We also know, from the writings of Phisalix and Bertrand, that 

 the blood of the viper, and that of the salamander and toad are 

 toxic. For my part I have found ^ that the blood of Naja, 

 Bungarus, Lachesis, and Cerastes possesses the same properties, 

 and a comparative study has been made by Wehrmann,' in my 

 laboratory, of the toxicity of the blood of the viper and of that of 

 the blood of the eel, already established by Mosso (of Turin).' 



It is remarkable to find that the blood of the various venomous 

 or non-venomous snakes, like that of certain fishes, such as eels, 

 produces, when injected beneath the skin or into the peritoneum, 

 local and general' effects very similar to those of venoms. Injec- 

 tions of 0"5 c.c. to 1 c.c. of the blood of the viper or of the common 



' ■ " Trattado del veneno della vipera," 1787. 



^ ArcMvfiir mikroskopische Anatomie, Bd. ix., 1873. 

 ' Morphologisches Jahrhuch, Bd. viii., 1883. 



* Comptes rendus de la Societe de Biologie, January 20, 1894. 



* ArcMbes de Physiologie, 1894. 



" Comptes rendus de V Academic des Sciences, Paris, January 22, 1894. 

 ' Com(ptes rendus de la Societe de Biologie, January 13, 1894. 



* Annates de I'Institut Pasteur, 1897. 



' Archives italiennes de Biologie, 1888 and 1889. 



