92 
THE THANATOPHIDIA OF INDIA 
into the jugular vein but into the heart itself, though I 
must at the same time confess that I cannot regard the latter 
experiment as at all satisfactory or conclusive as to the beneficial 
effects of the ammonia. It proves the absolute necessity for 
many and most carefully repeated experiments before one can 
come to an absolute decision on a subject where there are pro¬ 
bably several sources of error to be encountered. 
The following experiments (Experiments 6, 7, and 8) were 
made with a view of determining the influence of one poisonous 
snake on another. I have already recorded many experiments 
on this interesting question, and though so far the weight 
of evidence was in favour of immunity of the poisonous snakes 
from the poison of their own species and those of others, yet I 
did not regard it as a matter settled, hut one about which there 
was still doubt. I wished for further and more convincing proof 
before I could accept as a fact what I even now hardly believe, 
that a venomous snake, whilst it has the power of quickly de¬ 
stroying innocent snakes, has no power over its own or the other 
poisonous species. Of this, however, there can be no doubt, that 
the effect of the poison is much less active on a venomous snake 
than on an innocent one. 
Experiment No. 6. 
A Hung arm fasciatus about six feet in length was bitten 
about a foot from the tail by a full-grown fresh and powerful 
Cobra, at 3.18 p.m. Again at 3.19; a third time at 3.20. 
All the bites were within a foot of the end of the tail. The 
object of selecting this part of the Bungarus was to avoid the 
possibility of death being caused by injury to the viscera. 
The Bungarus was then put into a cage. 
4.40 p.m. —It seems quite well. 9 p.m. —Appears sluggish; the 
part of the tail below the bites appears partially paralysed; 
on pressing the tail with a sharp-pointed instrument but little 
sensibility is manifested. 
May 30th, 6 a.m.— Very sluggish; skin contracted into a 
longitudinal crease along either side of the body. 9.40 a.m.— 
Dead. 
The Bungarus fasciatus was a very large specimen, it was 
moulting at the time it was bitten ; but still I think its death 
must be attributed to the influence of the Cobra poison. 
Experiment No. 7. 
A full-grown Spectacled Cobra was bitten within a foot of 
the tail by a Daboici russdlii, about half-grown, but which was 
said to be fresh, and bad been brought that day by the snake- 
men. There was some difficulty in making the Viper insert its 
long slender fangs into the tough skin of the Cobra, but it did 
so finally in several places. No evil result followed, and on 
June 3rd the Cobra was quite well. 
Experiment No. 8. 
A Daboia russellii was bitten by a fresh Cobra near the tail, 
about the same time as that of the last experiment; the bites 
were several, and fangs well inserted. But no evil result fol¬ 
lowed, and on June 3rd the Viper was unaffected. 
Experiment No. 9. 
Some Cobra poison taken from the poison-gland several 
months ago by Mr. Sceva, had been kept, and had coagulated 
in the glass-tube in which it was kept into a white caseous- 
looking solid mass, with an intensely foetid odour. Some water 
was mixed with this, in which it was only partially soluble. 
Ten drops of the opaque fluid were injected with the hypo¬ 
dermic syringe into a Pigeon’s thigh at 4.20 p.m. No imme¬ 
diate result followed. 
4 25._Ten drops more of the same fluid injected as before. 
g p.m.—No apparent change in the bird. 
May 30th, 6 a.m.— Lying down ; wings drooping. 10.5 a.m. 
—Dead. 
This experiment shows that decomposition and coagulation 
of the poison does not, even for a long time, deprive it of its 
poisonous properties. 
June hth, 1869. 
Experiment No. 10. 
At 3.2 p.m. the right external jugular vein of a healthy 
Dog was laid bare. Chloroform was then administered until 
the Dog was insensible, though still whimpering with a 
peculiar cry. Forty drops of liquor ammonite, sp. gr. '959, 
were carefully injected into the jugular. Immediate rest¬ 
lessness followed; limbs convulsed; howled loudly, as though 
it felt acute pain, and when placed on the ground was unable 
to stand, the legs being powerless. 
3.16.—Lying quiet. 3.17.—Pawing his mouth and face in 
a semi-paralytic manner; makes unsuccessful efforts to stand. 
3.18.—Lying prone; unable to rise on his legs ; paws the face; 
when put on his feet cannot stand; seems quite sensible and 
intelligent. 3.20.—In just the same condition; crawls but is 
unable to stand on bis legs. 3.21.—Sat up but fell over again. 
3.23.—Forty drops more were injected. It was doubtful this 
time whether the ammonia entered the vein, probably into the 
areolar tissue about it. 3.25.—Forty drops injected this time, 
certainly into the vein ; the Dog at once passed into a state of 
violent convulsion, and from that into a state of general tremor. 
3.27.—Able to rise and stagger a few steps. 3.30.—Becover- 
ing; the Dog is and has been for some minutes profusely sali¬ 
vated. 3.33.—Punning about the room; seems to be intelli¬ 
gent, but has peculiar nervous twitchings of the mouth and 
face. 4.30.—The Dog had perfectly recovered. The crural 
vein was exposed, and forty minims of liquor ammonia?, sp. gr. 
'959 injected; the injection was almost immediately succeeded 
by violent convulsions. 4.33.—Howling as if in pain or fear, 
legs paralysed; struggles in the prone position, but cannot 
stand. 4.40.—Breathing hurried; puffing of buccinator muscle; 
twitching of orbicularis. 4.42.—Can walk, but with a very 
staggering gait. 4.45.—Has recovered, but is weak. 
In this case the animal recovered; but each injection of 
ammonia was followed by violent convulsions, muscular tremors, 
and paralysis to such an extent as to make it appear that 
life was in extreme danger. 
The effect produced was unsatisfactory, and suggestive rather 
of danger than safety. 
Experiment No. 11. 
3.37 p.m. —A large Dog had the right external jugular vein 
laid bare; at 3.42 it was bitten in the right hind-leg by a Spec¬ 
tacled Cobra that had been in confinement for some time. The 
punctured leg and the neighbouring parts were lubricated with 
the snake’s saliva. 
3.47.—Sitting down ; rises and walks with rather a tremulous 
gait. 3.48.—Lies down ; deep inspiration; breathing hurried. 
3 , 58 ,—Symptoms of poisoning not at all pronounced—there is 
reason to doubt the vigour of the Cobra. 4 p.m. —Bitten again 
by a vigorous Cobra in the same place ; the leg immediately 
partially paralysed. 4.1.—Uneasy; licks the wound. 4.2.— 
Whines, and is very restless. 4.3.—Head drooping. 4.4.— 
Breathing very rapid (100); tongue hanging out; whining; 
uneasy; lies down; is restless. 4.5.—Walks about whining; 
droops his head, and lies down; still strong on his legs. 4.8.— 
Can walk, but is evidently under the influence of the poison; 
staggers, pants, and droops his head. 4.10.—Forty minims of 
the liquor ammonia?, sp. gr. '959, injected into the jugular vein; 
vomited; micturated violently whilst passing into a state of 
violent general convulsion. 4.12.—Stood up; breathing was 
hurried; is salivated. 4.15.—Shows weakness in the hind¬ 
legs ; lies down ; is purged. The symptoms of snake-poison 
