PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL AGENTS UPON BLOOD. 
707 
Air from pure sheep’s blood. Twenty-four hours’ action. 
Result : — 
No. 40. — In 100 parts of air. 
100 per cent, of air. 
Oxygen . . . 
Carbonic acid . 
Nitrogen . . 
12-42) 
o-7o} Total oxy s en 13-12 
86-88 
Air from sheep’s blood plus woorara. Twenty-four hours’ action, 
air. Result : — 
No. 41. — In 100 parts of air. 
Oxygen . . . 
Carbonic acid . 
Nitrogen . . 
^TGo}^ 0 ^ ox y§ en 
81-72 
100 per cent, of 
It is thus seen that woorara has the peculiar effect of diminishing oxidation, and at 
the same time increasing the exhalation of carbonic acid gas. 
Oxygen. 
Carbonic acid. 
Nitrogen. 
Total oxygen. 
In 100 per cent, of air from purel 
sheep’s blood J 
12-42 
0-70 
86-88 
13-12 
Ditto plus woorara 
16-68 
1-60 
81-72 
18-28 
For the purpose of studying the action of woorara upon the blood of the living 
animal, I injected under the skin of a dog an aqueous solution of five grains of the 
poison*. The animal soon became paralyzed and died, as is usual in those cases, from 
the cessation of the respiratory movements. The heart’s action continued vigorous 
for some time after apparent death : a portion of this dog’s blood was then taken and 
thoroughly arterialized by repeatedly shaking it with renewed quantities of air. The 
blood was then enclosed in a receiver with 100 per cent, of atmospheric air, and treated 
in the usual way during twenty-four hours. The result of the analysis was as follows : — 
No. 42. — In 100 parts of air. 
Oxygen . . . 
Carbonic acid . 
Nitrogen . . 
1 glj-Total oxygen 20-19 
79-81 
If we compare this result with the analysis of air from the blood of a healthy dog 
(No. 28) already given (page 702), we shall find that the effect of the woorara has been 
like that of snake poison, to increase the chemical decompositions and transformations 
in the blood, upon which the exhalation of carbonic acid depend. 
* For the woorara employed on this occasion I am indebted to the liberality of Charles Watertox, Esq., of 
Walton Hall, the well-known author of the ‘ Wanderings.’ He obtained it in Guiana in 1812, and though it 
is consequently half a century old, it is still an exceedingly active poison. 
