SNAKE-POISON LITERATURE, 121 



by snakes, the Commission remark : " Death 

 from snake-poisoning is preceded by general 

 muscular paralysis, induced by interference with 

 the actions of the spinal cord, medulla oblon- 

 gata, and it may be the central ganglia of the 

 encephalon ; convulsions ; unconsciousness, and 

 absolute cessation of respiration. The rythmic 

 action of the heart continues for about three or 

 four minutes longer. In these experiments the ^trndai' 

 time selected for the commencement of artifi- ™p™'°"- 

 cial respiration in the manner already indicat- 

 ed was the exact period when the breathing had 

 ceased, and about three or four minutes prior 

 to the stoppage of the beating of the heart. . . . 

 The average lapse of time between the inflic- 

 tion of the bite, and the cessation of the respi- 

 ratory process, was only forty-two minutes, the 

 maximum and minimum having been one hour 

 and ten minutes, and twenty-five minutes re- 

 spectively " without artificial respiration. A cobra 

 does, however, sometimes kill in a much shorter 

 time. " The powerful influence of artificial re- 

 spiration in supporting and prolonging life is well 

 illustrated .... Life was thus prolonged on an 

 average ten hours and forty-one minutes, the 

 maximum having reached seventeen hours and 



