SNAKE-POISON LITERATURE. 



119 



elimination of the poison through the excretory 

 organs, (for whilst the heart acts they continue 

 to perform their functions) the paralysed muscles 

 regain their power, and life is slowly, but cer- 

 tainly restored. I am not prepared to assert 

 that the cobra-poison kills in exactly the same 

 way as carara ; I am inclined to believe that it 

 does not ; but still analogy in the results of 

 experiments support, or, perhaps, rather suggest 

 the idea that, if artificial respiration be sustained 

 in a case of cobra-poisoning, and life be thus 

 artificially supported for a sufficient length of 

 time, it might be for days ; elimination of the 

 poison may occur, and recovery may result." Sir 

 Joseph Fayrer was, however, by no means 

 sanguine of the success of the treatment. This 

 was the procedure adopted by the Commission. 

 After poisoning the animal, a dog, either direct- 

 ly by the bite of a cobra, or by the hypodermic 

 injection of the virus, when convulsions, general 

 paralysis, and cessation of respiration, were fully 

 developed, a canula was quickly inserted into 

 the trachea. In the external end of the canula 

 about a foot of India-rubber tubing was attach- 

 ed ; and into the free extremity of this, the 

 nozzle of the bellows was fitted. The canula. 



Sir Joseph 



Fayrer's 



letter. 



Mode of 

 performing 



artificial 

 respiration. 



