102 
THE THANATOPHIDIA OF INDIA. 
ground. It continued alive until 5.35; and during tliat time 
it showed distinct reflex action of legs, if tlie feet were pinched, 
and of the wings as in flying when raised in the air. It re¬ 
mained lying on its side, and died at 5.35 p.m. Bitten at 
4.10 p.m. Ligature applied immediately. Ligature removed 
at 4.31, in twenty-one minutes. Died at 5.35, or in sixty-four 
minutes after the ligature was removed. These experiments 
are very interesting. They prove that the poison enters, and 
proves fatal by way of the blood-vessels, and that if a ligature 
he sufficiently tightly applied (the great difficulty), the entry 
of the poison may be much, if not altogether prevented ; and 
that probably the application of carbolic acid or other caustic 
agents to the part poisoned, if thoroughly ligatured, may do 
good by decomposing the poison in the blood in which it is 
mingled. 
But that too much faith must not be reposed in the acid or 
cautery is proved by this and former experiments, where the 
poison was prevented from entering the circulation by means of 
the ligature, and was subjected to the action of the acid whilst 
so detained; yet when the ligature was removed, and the 
stagnant circulation again restored, death followed from the 
slow absorption of the poison which, notwithstanding the 
thorough application of the acid, yet retained enough of its 
deadly qualities to cause death. 
A Fowl bitten by a Cobra generally dies in a few minutes. 
It will he seen by these two experiments how long the fatal 
event was delayed by aid of the ligature and acid. 
July mn. 
Experiment No. 22. 
The same Opldophagus claps mentioned in former experi¬ 
ments was brought to me again to-day. No new fangs had 
been reproduced: and it looked thin and half-starved. The 
snake-men say that no new fangs have ever replaced those 
originally taken out. I obtained by squeezing the glands 
about four drops of a deep orange-coloured viscid-looking 
fluid of the consistence of mucus. I made a slight puncture 
on a Fowl’s thigh with a lancet, and with an ordinary pen 
inoculated some of this yellow fluid into the wound, at 
11.15 a.m. For some time the Fowl seemed unaffected, but in 
the afternoon I found it in a lethargic state, crouching with the 
head drooping, and the point of the beak resting on the ground. 
It gradually drooped. There appear to have been no convul¬ 
sions, and at 10 p.m. it was dead. 
This experiment shows that the entire loss of the poison 
fangs, and consequent comparative inactivity of the glands, does 
not deprive them of the power of secreting poison; though, 
no doubt, it diminishes the activity, and probably modifies the 
nature of the secretion. All other snake-poison that I have 
seen taken from the armed and vigorous snake, of whatever family, 
has been a clear limpid fluid* In this case it was of a deep 
rich orange-colour, and of the consistence of mucus. It proves 
also, that on the first removal of the poison fangs, the reserve 
fangs may also be removed, leaving the reptile disarmed for 
life. This is not always effected by the operation of the snake- 
charmers, for they well know, and occasional fatal accidents 
have proved, that a new fang takes the place of the old one. 
I had the fangs carefully removed from a Cobra, and 
kept him to see in what time the new ones come forward. 
In one instance I found that, after a fortnight, a pair of new 
farms had replaced those removed, but they were not thoroughly 
anchylosed to the maxillary bones. A JDaboia, whose large 
fangs were removed with the same object, died shortly after the 
removal of the teeth, but whether the death was due to the 
operation, or to natural causes, I am unable to say. There is at 
present a JDaboia that has not touched food ox watei foi six 
* See P. 116, Juno 13tli—Poison of tlie Opliiophagus elaps. 
months in my possession; every effort having been made in 
vain to make the snake eat or drink, and it is vigorous and 
vicious as when first caught; but its venomous powers are pro¬ 
bably diminished. During this period, the Daboia has frequently 
changed its epidermic covering, and there are occasional deposits 
of solid urinary excreta passed. It never moves unless roused, 
when it is very active and vicious. The only conclusion that I 
can come to, is that it may have obtained moisture from the 
damp air, and may have swallowed flies or cockroaches or other 
insects that have found their way into the cage. But it cer¬ 
tainly has neither taken food nor water in any other way 
during this period. 
FIFTEENTH SEBIES. 
Experiments on the Influence of Snalce-poison, and the use of 
Certain Reputed Antidotes; and the Effects of the Ligature and 
Excision, Sfc. 
July Slst, 1869. 
Present, Dr. Fayrer and Mr. Sceva. 
Experiment No. 1. 
Mr. B.’s (of Jounpore) antidote, the powdered root or bark 
of a plant, name and family unknown, was tried to-day on a 
Dog. The drug had been sent to me for the purpose, and was 
fresh and potent. Half of a powder, the quantity directed by 
Mr. B., was given, having been first carefully rubbed and mixed 
with about an ounce of water. 
A Pariah Dog was bitten in the thigh by a Cobra at 3.3 p.m., 
and was much excited by the bite. At 3.6, as symptoms of 
poisoning appeared, the first dose of the antidote was given, 
and was all swallowed. The Dog was led about, and cold water 
dashed on its face and thorax when it seemed drowsy. 3.8. — 
Lies down ; very restless. 3.9. —Hurried breathing. 3.10.— 
Dog lies down; rises again, and runs about in a restless and 
excited manner. 3.12. —Bestless and uneasy ; head swings 
about as though it were giddy ; breathing accelei’ated. 3.17. — 
It staggers as it is walked about; cold water sprinkled on its 
head and chest. 3.18.— The second dose given, that is, the 
other half of the powder, as directed. 3.20. —The Dog is worse; 
cannot stand, staggers and reels when walked about, and falls 
over; convulsive movements of head and neck. 3.22.— Con¬ 
vulsed ; pupils widely dilated. 3.24. —Dead—in twenty-one 
minutes. 
The Dog was not a large one, but it was healthy and 
vigorous; the instructions sent with the Drug were carefully 
followed. The result is not favourable to the drug as an 
antidote for the canine race. 
Experiment No. 2. 
A Dog had a ligature made of stout cord, soaped to make 
it knot tightly, thrown loosely round the fore-arm. It was then 
bitten by a Cobra below the ligature, which was tightened as 
firmly as a man’s strength could draw it. Immediately after 
the bite, a red-hot iron was introduced into the fang wounds, 
and the bitten part thoroughly cauterized, strong carbolic acid 
having first been well rubbed in. 
Bitten at 3.31 p.m. Ligature tightened within five seconds. 
Carbolic acid and actual cautery applied at 3.33, that is, in two 
minutes after the bite, and one minute and fifty-five seconds 
after the ligature was tightened. The limb seemed to be com¬ 
pletely strangulated; it became livid; blood oozed from the 
fang wounds, and the limh was all but paralysed. ■ There could 
be no doubt that the limb was thoroughly strangulated, or 
that the bitten parts were well cauterized. 3.36. —Notwith¬ 
standing all the above precautions, the Dog is already much 
affected by the poison, is lying prone, unable to rise or to walk, 
the breathing hurried, and convulsive movements occuri’ing 
occasionally. 3.40.— Convulsed. 3.41. — Dying. 3.42. — Dead 
—in twenty-one minutes. 
