112 THE LAND-MARKS OF 



nary stimuli from the medulla, though they are 

 capable of transmitting stronger impulses ; as 

 exemplified by the convulsions which occur when 

 the medulla is greatly stimulated by the in- 

 creasing venosity of the blood. Many interest- 

 ing examples of this will be found in the Indian 

 Snake Commission's Report. Brunton and Fay- 

 rer believe the sensory nerves to be little, if at 

 all, affected. The sensory ganglia are not affect- 

 ed until the last, (See the chapter dealing with 

 Halford's treatment in snake-poisoning.) 



BfEeets of Dr. Weir Mitchell invariably noticed a gradual 



venom upon ° 



the caiorifa- fall of temperature, cxccpt wheu death was verv 



cient functions. i ' jr j 



rapid. The experiments made by the Indian 

 Snake Commission show a fall of temperature 

 occasionally, but not invariably. 



Effects of Weir Mitchell found that the longer death is 



venom on tne " 



blood. delayed, the more apt is the blood to become in- 

 coagulable. " So diffluent was it in some cases," 

 that he " poured it from glass to glass like water, 

 and kept it thus until it decomposed completely. 

 In other cases the heart contained a few loose and 

 very weak clots, and in others again, only rare 

 shreds of coagulum were met with," Before I 

 had read Weir Mitchell's excellent monogram. 



