276 C. J. MARTIN. 
remains permanently fluid, and Dr. Skinner of Beechworth, 
has also recorded the fact that the coagulability of the blood 
appeared, during life, to be considerably diminished. 
As regards the action upon the circulatory mechanism, exper- 
mental results are in accord with clinical observations. Faintness, 
feeble rapid pulse, with cold extremities, and blanched skin have 
been usually recorded. The description of the nervous symptoms 
coincides absolutely with the results of experiment. Thus the 
respiration is usually described as being at first slightly quickened, 
and then becoming progressively shallower. Sensation is blunted, 
and eventually stimulation of the nerves of special sense fail to 
evoke any reaction. The pupil is dilated, and insensible to light. 
The patient becomes comatose, and death generally occurs from 
failure of the respiration. All these symptoms occurred in those 
experiments on animals in which the conditions are at all. 
comparable. 
Furthermore, hemorrhages from the kidneys, and from mucous 
tracts, are not uncommon in severe cases of bite from this snake, 
and are generally looked upon as very unfavourable symptoms 
Experiments on animals show that the severity of these symptoms 
varies with the concentration with which the poison reaches the 
circulation. Albuminuria has been found when looked for, 
has persisted for some few days after the apparent convalescence 
of the patient, so that it would appear as if the venom exe 
the same pathological effect upon the kidneys in man, a8 upd? 
those of the lower animals. 
T am not aware of any record of symptoms of lung complication. 
Even in animals, the actual condition of these organs was Bs 
suspected until after death. The lungs have however been 
found after death from the bite of this snake to be the sea’ 
of hemorrhages. 
1 Austr. Med. Gazette,” March, 1893. 
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