146 Some Exjieriments ivith Venom of Causus rhombeatus. 



weight was found to be 9 centigrammes. It was then dissolved in 21 minims 

 of sterile salt solution, and 14 minims of the solution (=6 centigrammes 

 of the venom) was injected into one chicken (A), and the remainder 

 (=3 centigrammes of venom) into another chicken (B), at 10.15 a.m., the 

 injection in each case being made into the right leg. 10.55 : " A " respiration 

 29 ; " B " respiration 33, and sits with right wing outstretched ; both fowls 

 allow themselves to be touched without attempting to move. 11.35: "A" 

 right leg dark blue and swollen ; " B " right leg slightly ecchymosed, 

 superficial vessels enlarged. 1.30 p.m. : " A respiration 34, abdomen 

 ecchymosed and superficial vessels enlarged ; " B " respiration 35, some of 

 the superficial abdominal vessels dilated, and slight ecchyniosis of abdomen. 

 4.30 p.m. ; both fowls lively and eager to feed : in " A " the leg is swollen 

 and tlie ecchymosis has spread from the abdomen to the thorax ; in " B " the 

 leg is swollen and only the abdomen is ecchymosed. 6.30 a.m. on second 

 day : " A " right side of abdomen and thorax swollen and discoloured ; " B " 

 whole of abdomen and right side of thorax ecchymosed. 6.30 a.m. on third 

 day : both fowls limp, but are quite lively. 10 a.m. on third day : " A " quite 

 lively, but its abdomen is still discoloured ; " B " is almost normal, but has 

 very slight ecchymosis at site of puncture. 10 a.m. on fourth day, both fowls 

 are quite recovered. 



Experiment 5. — The venom of both glands was dried in the sun, and found 

 to weigh 16 centigrammes. 9.15 a.m., 12 centigrammes of the venom was 

 dissolved in sterile salt solution and injected into the right pectoral muscle of 

 a fowl. 10.30, respiration 36 ; ecchymosis all over right side of thorax and 

 abdomen. 11.30, respiration 33, ecchymosis spreading to left side of thorax. 

 12.30, respiration 28. 2.15 p.m., respiration 28, ccchymo.sis s])read over left 

 side of abdomen and thorax and right wing. 2.40, convulsions, fowl died. 

 Post inmiem: subcutaneous tissue of abdomen and thorax full of blood-stained 

 fluid ; right pectoral muscle flabby and discoloured with blood ; peritoneal 

 vessels dilated, ])eritoneal cavity contains blood-stained fluid ; tiny liicmor- 

 rhages in pericardium, vessels of niyocardiuui dilated ; both lungs were 

 hcemorrhagic and contained much dark-coloured frothy fluid. 



Experiment 6. — Two glands were cut up and treated with alcohol (90 per 

 cent.). Two days afterwards the alcohol was filtered off, and the precipitate 

 was re(liss()lv(!(l in sterile salt solution. At 4.45 ]).iu. Llie wliole of the solution 

 was injected into the pectoral musch; of a fowl. 4.48, fowl staggered and 

 fell, had .slight convulsions and then lay (juiet. 4.57, fowl staggered to rise, 

 but faihiil ; respii'atioii 24. 5.10 fowl struggled to its feet; very drowsy, eyes 

 closecl, wings didoping; respiration 19. 5.22, fowl gasped, respiration 14, 

 inspiratifjii dillicult. 5.31, respiration 18, noisy, as if the air passages 



