106 THE LAND-MARKS OF 



would be impossible to do justice to those re- 

 searches within the space at my command, but 

 I will indicate their main features and results. 



Constitutional Biunton and Fayrer considered there was little 



and other ■' 



^^olsontag anT difference between the constitutional symptoms 

 ing''oomp°ied.' of daboia-poisoniug and cobra-poisoning. The 

 principal difference was said to be the more 

 extensive local injury inflicted by the bite of the 

 daboia. Sir Joseph Fayrer must have subse- 

 quently modified his views in this matter, as will 

 be seen hereafter. 



Effects of As regards the effects of re-agents, &c., on the 



re-agents, &c. ° ° 



action of the venom, Brunton and Fayrer say 

 it is not destroyed, and is scarcely impaired by 



Drying, drying. This had already been conclusively 

 proved by Weir Mitchell and others. The local 

 action of the venom is, however, altered by the 

 process, the specific inflammation being much less 



DUution. ■ extensive. Dilution has no effect in lessening 

 the activity of the venom, except so far as it re- 

 tards absorption. 



Alcohol. They further held that an alcoholic extract 

 possesses similar properties to the poison itself. 

 I have since shewn, and been confirmed by Wall, 

 that that is an error. The poisonous elements of 



