NATURE AND ANALYSIS OF THE POISONS. 127 
loosened and turned over, so as to make a flap. On this 
wound was placed about a drop of venom from the snake 
itself, The poison was finally thrust into a number of super- 
ficial cuts made in the nftxcles on which the drop fell. On 
the second day, the snake being well to appearance, half a 
drop of its own venom was put in a superficial wound half 
way up the back. This wound seemed to excite the snake, 
which, on being replaced in its box, continued in very rapid 
and violent motion for some minutes, as though in pain. On 
the sixth day, both wounds were covered with gray exuda- 
tion, and beneath, the muscles were soft; but in this, as in 
other cases, no effusion of blood existed about the wound. 
The snake was sluggish, and indisposed to bite. It died on 
the tenth day. 
“Post mortem. There were no visceral lesions, except that 
one lung contained a little effused blood. The venom-glands 
were dark and congested ; the heart-blood coagulated firmly 
thirty minutes after removal. In all probability, this serpent 
died from some other cause than venom poisoning. 
“ Beperiment No. 4. A snake forty-six inches long was se- 
cured, and the skin just above the anus removed from a space 
of about one inch by two. On this the snake bit itself three 
times, throwing out a good deal of venom, which was thrust 
deeply into the muscles of the part. On the second day, the 
wounded muscles were softened, but no blood was effused. 
The wound had been recovered with skin, and secured by 
sutures. At the close of two weeks, this snake was healthy, 
and bit eagerly ; the wounds were partially healed. 
“ Experiments 5, 6, and 7. Three large serpents were made 
to disgorge their venom, and the poison of each snake was 
injected under the skin of its back with the aid of a small 
syringe and trocar. The snakes, which I will distinguish as 
