OF INDIAN SERPENTS. 
59 
had ulcers in consequence of caustic,) was bitten this day, by the dark coloured Katuka ; and again a second 
time, after an interval of two days ; but both times without effect. 
Experiment XVII. March 31, 1788.-The pig which had been slightly infected on the 26th, (Exp. XV.) 
was bitten by the light coloured snake. The fangs remained in the wound nearly half a minute. The pig, as 
before, squeaked vehemently, but became immediately quiet when let loose, and sunk down, as if seized with 
sudden debility. He made a large quantity of urine. In less than ten minutes, he suffered slight convulsions ; 
after which he never attempted to rise, but at times showed great inquietude. It was five hours after the bite 
when he died. 
Experiment XVIII. April 4.-The dogs A. and B. (Experiments XIV. and XVI.) were again bitten on 
the thigh, as also on the nose, but neither of the dogs were infected. 
Observations. -The total failure in both the above instances, was imputed to some defect in the quality 
of the venom, for though the quantity emitted might not have been sufficient to kill, it might, at least, have been 
expected to produce some visible effect. A trial, therefore, was made on a subject that seldom escapes', how¬ 
ever much the snake may happen to be exhausted by repeated exertions. 
A chicken bitten on the thigh, immediately after the dogs, showed, in less than three minutes, manifest tokens 
of being infected, though the symptoms were slight, and disappeared in the evening. 
Experiment XIX.-Another chicken was killed in five minutes, by the first bite of a snake which had 
reposed four days. The bird was instantly affected ; in less than one minute it began to stagger, and in the 
next was seized with convulsions, which ceased only with life. 
Experiment XX. April 7.-The dog A. (Exp, XIV. and XVIII.) being again bitten in the thigh, 
showed symptoms immediately of the poison having taken effect. In twenty-five minutes, he was so debili¬ 
tated that he could not rise ; he often moaned, and seemed to suffer greatly. At times, he lay^ comatous, and 
before the end of the first hour, became so ill as to be thought dying. Towards the end of the second hour, he 
appeared somewhat better. In the third hour, he ceased moaning, but refused food, and could not be made to 
rise. In this state he continued till night. The following day, he was pretty well recovered, and began 
to eat 
Observations. -The recovery in this case, considering the formidable symptoms which appeared so 
early, and the reduced state of the subject, was contrary to expectation. 
Experiment XXI. The snake being left to rest half an hour, was made to bite the dog B, (Exp. XVI. and 
XVIII.) The leg was immediately drawn up, but in other respects the dog seemed nowise affected. After 
lying along for half an hour, he rose of himself, but was dull and stupified, and soon lay down again. After 
two hours, he was disposed to eat; and at night, appeared to be very well. 
This was the last experiment made on this poor animal, which had been bitten six times ; had the caustic 
applied twice ; and had once had the poison inserted artificially. The ulcers from the caustic were at this time 
healing fast, and the dog recovered perfectly. 
Experiment XXII. April 12.-The dog A. on which so many experiments had also been made, being now 
much reduced in strength, while an ulcer of enormous size in the thigh (partly the consequence of caustic, and 
partly of poison) showed less disposition to heal than to spread, it was determined to despatch him. With this 
view, one of two Katuka Rekula Podas, which had been for some time captive, but had not bit for several pre¬ 
ceding days, was made to bite the breast of the dog; both fangs acted, yet no symptoms of disorder followed. 
After waiting above an hour, another snake was applied to the thigh ; which, owing to a sudden start of the 
dog, left a fang sticking in the wound : to make still more sure of liberating the dog, the snake was provoked to 
bite him once more with the remaining fang. 
The dog instantly sunk ; grew gradually worse, and expired within two hours after the first bite of the 
second snake. 
Experiment XXIII. January 1 5.-A horse belonging to one of the gentlemen of the settlement, instead, 
as intended, of being shot, was, at my request, bitten by a Katuka Rekula, on each side of the nose. The bite 
