SNAKE-POISON LITERATURE. 



107 



the venom are not soluble in absolute alcohol. 

 "Weir Mitchell confirms my view as regards the 

 venom of the rattlesnake. 



Brunton and Fayrer held that admixture with 

 liq. ammonise and liq. potassse did not alter the 

 effects of the poison. Sir Joseph Fayrer subse- 

 quently altered his opinion (I think erroneously) 

 as regards the effects of the admixture with liq. 

 potassse. I performed several experiments to 

 elucidate this point, in connection with the 

 permanganate of potash question. 



Weir Mitchell states that quivering of the 

 muscles is due to the direct influence of the 

 venom of the crotalus upon the ultimate sarcous 

 elements. No quivering of the kind has been 

 noticed by Brunton, Fayrer, Wall, or myself 

 He further observes that muscular irritability is 

 lost sooner than usual in crotalus-poisoning. 

 The same has been observed with regard to cobra- 

 poisoning, by Brunton and Fayrer. Nevertheless, 

 muscular irritability after death from snake- 

 poisoning does occasionally exist for some time. 

 Dr. Mitchell says that in every instance venom 

 softened muscle in proportion to the length of 

 time during which it remained in contact with it. 



[. potElSS 



nd liq. 



I liq. 

 ammonies. 



Effects of the 



venom on the 



musclea. 



Ultimate effects 

 of venom on 

 the muscles. 



