1873.] of the Poison of some Indian Venomous Snakes. 373 



Experiment VIII. 



July, 1872. — -A drop or two of cobra-poison diluted with water was 

 injected into the thigh of a strong fowl. Shortly after it began to droop. 

 It then seemed drowsy, and crouched down with the beak resting on the 

 ground : it then fell over on its side. The comb and wattles lost their 

 bright red colour and became dusky. Almost simultaneously convul- 

 sions occurred. A cannula was quickly inserted into the trachea, and 

 artificial respiration commenced. The comb rapidly regained its bright 

 colour, and the convulsions ceased. On the artificial respiration being 

 discontinued the lividity of the comb reappeared, and convulsions again 

 began. The experiment was repeated about ten times, and on each oc- 

 casion the convulsions disappeared whenever the blood became arterial, 

 as shown by the bright colour of the comb, and reappeared when the 

 blood became venous. After discontinuing artificial respiration, the con- 

 vulsions returned and the fowl died. 



Experiment IX. 



November 7th, 1872. — A cannula was placed in the trachea of a rabbit. 



12.57. A small quantity of cobra-poison was injected into the hip. 

 Symptoms of poisoning came on slowly. 



1.25. The animal is still breathing, but the limbs are almost completely 

 paralyzed. Artificial respiration begun. Temperature in the rectum 

 101°-8. 



1.37. Paralysis is now complete. The animal is perfectly motionless, 

 and not the slightest movement of the eyelids occurs when the cornea is 

 touched. Temperature in rectum 100°- 8. 



1.55. The animal appears quite dead, but the heart pulsates vigorously. 



2.30. Cardiac pulsations as before. Temperature 98°*6 F. 



2-32. Heart as before. Temperature 97°. 



4.10. Heart still beats vigorously. Temperature 95°-4. The con- 

 tinuance of the artificial respiration was now entrusted to an assistant. 

 5. Heart beating well. 



5.20. Heart beating feebly and its action jumping. 



5.30. Heart beating slowly. 



6.30. Heart beating a little quicker. 



7.30. Heart as before. 



8. Heart beating more slowly. 



8.30. Cardiac pulsations are very feeble. 



9.30. Very feeble and slow. 



The hour was now late, the rabbit was still completely motionless, and 

 its body felt cold to the touch. The artificial respiration was therefore 

 discontinued, although the cardiac pulsations had not ceased. Life was 

 evidently prolonged for some hours in this case by artificial respiration. 



VOL. XXI. 2 H 



