286 VENOMS 



is paralysed, though in other respects its bodily functions appear 

 to continue; in fact, its intestine is seen to empty itself at long 

 intervals. These effects are attributed by Mons. J. H. Fabre, of 

 Avignon, to the direct action of the venom upon the ganglia of the 

 thoracic nervous system. 



Instances of Hymenoptera belonging to the tribe Entomophaga 

 actually depositing their eggs beneath the skin of man are men- 

 tioned by Eaphael Blanchard.^ 



According to P. Fabre, the best treatment for wasp- or bee- 

 stings v?ould appear to consist in the application^ of strong saline 

 solution, or a liniment of ammonia and olive oil. For my own 

 part, I have tried hypochlorite of lime, in a 1 in 60 solution, or eau 

 de Javel diluted to 1 per cent., and have always obtained such 

 excellent results from these remedies that I do not hesitate to 

 advise their use. 



D. — Molluscs. 



Certain Gastropodous Molluscs, chiefly Murex hrandaris and 

 M. trunculus, possess purple glands from which it is possible to 

 extract a very active venom (Eaphael Dubois)^ by crushing them 

 up with sand and alcohol. The alcoholic liquid, filtered and evapor- 

 ated in a water-bath, yields a brown oily fluid. The subcutaneous 

 injection of a few drops of this into a frog is sufficient to produce 

 very decided toxic effects. Sluggishness and slowness of move- 

 ment are seen to supervene fairly quickly ; reflex actions are still 

 exhibited, but the animal is no longer able to jump. 



If the dose be not too strong, this condition of paresis lasts for 

 several hours, and then disappears. In most cases, howeyer, the 

 paresis is succeeded by complete paralysis, and the animal appears 

 as though suffering from curare. Yet the fact is that the venom 

 is neither curare-like nor cardiac ; the heart, muscles, motor end- 



' " Traits de zoologie m^dicale," t. ii. (Paris). 



^ Comptes rendus de la Soci^te de Biologie, January 17, 1903. 



