132 BRITISH SERPENTS. 
that he was ‘very much better, and the parts were not 
so black. When seen, however, this improvement 
was found to be fallacious. There was less ciscolora- 
tion, but except that his mind remained clear, all the 
symptoms were ageravated. 
“From this time towards midnight he continued 
much the same. Death occurred at 1 AM. Con- 
sciousness was retained almost up to the moment 
of Ins decease. There had been no convulsions at 
any time in the illness. 
“Naturally the main interest in this connection 
is the determination of the exact type of reptile. 
Presumably it belonged to the adder species. In 
any case, the great weakness of the heart’s action, 
and the slowing of the breathing later, coupled with 
the absence of mental disturbance markedly shown 
throughout, are facts of great interest.” 
The following letter appeared in the ‘British 
Medical Journal’ of July 29, 1893 :— 
“The case of fatal poisoning by snake - bite in 
Glamorganshire, reported in the ‘British Medical 
Journal’ of July 15, is of great interest, inasmuch 
as authenticated instances where this injury has 
terminated in death are extremely rare. Indeed 
Professor Bell, in his work on British Reptiles, 
expresses a doubt as to whether a fatality from this 
cause has ever actually occurred, he having been 
unable to trace any quoted case to a valid source, As 
