11. 



no trace of a " cobric acid" leaving crystals such as 

 that gentleman has described, though it is true 

 that the dialysates are usually faintly acid, but 

 of a non-toxic nature. 



Apart from the antecedent improbabilities of 

 the power of the venom being due to the pre- 

 sence of micro-organisms, as shewn by the 

 rapidity of the poisoning, the phenomena of 

 heat action and chemical actiou, Wolfenden 

 found that there is nothing in cobra-venom which 

 will grow under conditions favourable for 'bac- 

 teria. 



He to some extent modifies his former con- 

 clusions — for which, however, finality was not 

 claimed — as to the toxic elements of the venom. 

 He now points out that there are three, viz : — 



1. Globulin. 



2. Serum Albumin. 



3. Acid Albumin. 



And one non-toxic proteid in some specimens, 

 viz : — Peptone.* 



As regards the physiological action of the 

 toxic proteids, he is of opinion that the serum- 



* Vide page 158, 



