134 THE LAND-MAHKS OF 



effelte rf^a effusion. " This local hyperaemia," says Wall, 

 dMcribed! " is the first indication that we obtain that 

 snake-poison has really entered the system." 

 True, but while admitting that it is of value as 

 a diagnostic sign of a poisonous bite, I must 

 observe that it is no certain indication of the 

 injection into the tissues of a fatal dose of poison. 

 Very extensive local mischief has been observed 

 to have occurred in cases which have terminated 

 in recovery. The practical importance, there- 

 fore, of this appearance seems to be somewhat 

 limited. As regards the characteristic symptoms 

 of cobra-poisoning in man they are thus described 

 by Wall. A feeling of intoxication appears to be 

 the first constitutional effect of the poison. It is 

 very generally complained of but not universal- 

 ly so, as it would require some intelligence on 

 the victim's part to mention it. The next symp- 

 tom is loss of power in the legs — at first stagger- 

 ing, then inability to support the legs — due to 

 progressive upward paralysis of the spinal-cord, 

 and at last complete paraplegia. At this time 

 there is scarcely any loss of power in the arms, 

 which may remain completely under the influence 

 of the will. The next symptoms are very charac- 

 teristic. The patient loses power of speech, of 



