SNAKE-POISON LITERATUHE. 103 



which, if found, would be an inestimable boon 

 to mankind. Although no antidote has been 

 discovered, much good work has lately been 

 done as regards the physiological action of the 

 poison, and if there be in existence a remedy, 

 the more intimately we become acquainted with 

 the modus operand'k of snake-poison, the more 

 likely are our efforts to be crowned with success. 



"According to Drs. Fayrer and Brunton, who Payrerand 



111 1 t • Brunton's 



lately read an exhaustive paper on the subject theory. 

 before the Royal Society, the poison may kill 

 in either of four ways : * 



"Firstly. — By tetanizing the heart, and so 

 stopping the circulation of the blood. 



" Secondly. — By paralyzing the muscles of 

 respiration, and so giving rise to asphyxia. 



" Thirdly. — By a combination of the two for- 

 mer conditions. 



"Fourthly. — By giving rise to septicasmia. 



" It is much to be regretted that some experi- 

 menters have so unwisely advocated, and in 

 the strongest terms, a certain treatment which 



* Afterwards modified, as will be learnt subsequently. 



