98 TOXINS AND ANTITOXINS. 



A simple method has even been described of bring- 

 ing this result about experimentally by surround- 

 ing the insect with a circle of fire. Bounne, of 

 Madras,* who has studied the procedure, has 

 demonstrated its entire falsity by showing, first 

 of all, that the insect dies from the effects of the 

 excessive heat, and further, that the poison of the 

 scorpion is harmless to individuals of the species 

 that furnish it. 



Metchinkoff f has confirmed these facts, and 

 has moreover demonstrated that the blood of the 

 scorpion possesses an undoubted antitoxic power 

 against the poison of the insect. 



The poison of the scorpion serves it to kill the 

 insects which are its prey. Frogs and birds stung 

 by the scorpion also generally die. A dose of 

 0.0005 Gm. kills a guinea-pig in less than one hour; 

 and according to Calmette t less than 0.0005 ^'^^^ 

 kill a white mouse in two hours. Oxidizers destroy 

 the toxicity of the poison. Guinea-pigs immu- 

 nized against the poison of the scorpion resist per- 

 fectly very large doses of the poison. 



Poisonous Blood and Serums. — It is an almost 

 general fact that the blood and blood serum of 

 batrachians, eels, lampreys, snakes (even non- 

 poisonous ones), and hedgehogs are very poisonous. 



* Proceedings of the Royal Society, XLil, p. 17. 



t Metchnikoff: L'lmmuniU, p. 344. 



% Calmette: Annal. (Jie I'instit. Pasteur, x, p. 232. 



