1881.] Poisons of certain Indian Venomous Snakes. 349 



time after apparent death, it is not unusual for blood to be present in 

 the urine ; but if the kidneys are examined in these cases the wonder 

 will be, not that blood was found in the urine, but that any urine 

 was secreted at all, so great is the renal congestion. This circum- 

 stance can, therefore, hardly be taken as evidence of blood change, 

 and coupled with the fact of the rapid recovery that ensues in cobra 

 poisoning after the nerve symptoms have passed off, leads us to the 

 conclusion that all cases of death from cobra poisoning have their 

 origin in the direct action of the poison on the nerve-centres. 



II. — The Physiological Effects of the Poison of the Daboia Russellii. 



The Daboia Russellii, or Russell's viper, is selected as being an 

 extremely deadly member of the viperine family, and is the best 

 known of the Indian vipers. The following experiments show the 

 course of the symptoms produced by this snake. 



Experiment VII. 



A somewhat small pariah dog had a pulse of 88 per minute, respi- 

 rations 30, rectal temperature 39° C. 



3.24 p.m. Bitten by a Daboia Russellii in the thigh. 



3.28 p.m. General muscular spasm of the most violent character, 

 all parts of the body taking part. The animal fell down and rolled 

 about in convulsions, even the muscles of the eyeballs being affected 

 — jerking the eyes about in the strangest way. 



3.30 p.m. Convulsions ceased, complete paralysis of both hindlegs, 

 tries to stand, but can only rest on his forelegs. 



3.31-J p.m. Contractions of muscles of eyeball continue ; respira- 

 tions very shallow, 68; pupils somewhat dilated. 



3.37 p.m. Muscles of eyeball at rest ; seems utterly prostrate and 

 unable to move ; respirations 40, chiefly abdominal. 



3.40 p.m. Respirations 56, shallow, occasionally a deep sigh. 



3.44 p.m. Pupils somewhat dilated but contract to light. 



3.47 p.m. Respirations 67, about every tenth one is very deep. 



3.53 p.m. Pulse 156. 



3.56 p.m. Moaning. Temperature 39° • 5 C. 



4.1 p.m. Respirations 32 ; sighing and moaning, lying down para- 

 lysed, sanious discharge from the rectum, pupils widely dilated. 

 4.9 p.m. Respirations 36. 



4.12 p.m. Respiration reduced to a quick inspiratory spasm, followed 

 by relaxation. 



4.15 p.m. Respirations 16. 



4.17 p.m. Dead. Temperature 39° "4 C. 



2 b 2 



