SNAKE-POISON LITERATURE. 



75 



again performed a number of experiments before 

 Dr. Troja, Member of the Royal Academy of 

 Naples, and M. Jean Fabroni of Florence, and 

 attached to the Cabinet of Natural History of 

 the grand Duke of Tuscany. After performing 

 numerous experiments he again condemned the 

 ammonia as useless, if not positively hurtful. 

 The sentiments he then expressed may safely 

 De repeated here. He observes, "I place the 

 greatest importance on repeated experiments' 

 for I know of what weight the prejudice for a 

 favourite hypothesis, and the authority of a 

 celebrated writer are." It is more difficult to 

 uproot error, than to establish truth, especially 

 when the scientific reputation of an "authority" 

 is at stake ; every man may err, but more 

 especially he who has some pet theory either to 

 defend or to establish. 



Fontana was under the impression that the 

 skin was the principal agent in the absorption 

 of the poison, that is to say, the cut edges of 

 the skin. This is, however, erroneous ; the 

 poison is absorbed while lying in the areolar 

 tissue, and frequently, as in the bite of the 

 daboia, the poison is injected into the muscles. 

 Fontana declares, notwithstanding his former 



Fontana 



disputes the 



position. 



The skin, the 

 principal 



agent in the 

 absorption 



of the poison. 



