122 
THE THANATOPHIDIA OE INDIA. 
appear in any way to modify tlie action of the poison. Blood 
coagulated firmly after death. 
Experiment No. 30. 
The same Ophiophagus elaps used in Experiments Nos. 25 and 
26 was made to shed its poison into a shell; and on this occa¬ 
sion I observed that the fluid was more limpid, and not of 
so deep a yellow colour as in former experiments. Six drops of 
this poison were injected into the external jugular vein, which 
was laid hare on purpose, of a very large and powerful Dog, at 
1.42 p.m. For a minute the Dog did not seem affected in any 
way. 1.43.—Staggered suddenly when walking, and micturated 
profusely ; in a few seconds more it was convulsed with opistho¬ 
tonos. 1.44.—Fell over, apparently insensible ; there was 
neither cry nor indication of pain. 1.45.—Lying with the 
limbs extended, and breathing deeply. It remained in this 
position, apparently dead, but for the deep breathing, until 
1.59, when it was convulsed. At 2.4 it was quite dead—in 
twenty-two minutes. It seemed perfectly unconscious after the 
first two minutes. Blood coagulated firmly after death. 
Experiment No. 31. 
A Cobra was made to shed its poison into a shell, and five 
drops were injected into the external jugular vein of a full-grown 
Pariah Dog, not quite so powerful as that used in Experiment 
No. 30, at 1.55. In thirty seconds it was affected, the bowels 
acted, inuco-sanguinolent motions, and it fell into convulsions ; 
its' legs failed, and it remained resting on its belly. Vomited, 
gave a few convulsive movements, and was dead in two minutes 
and a half. 
These two experiments, 30 and 31, show the terrible activity 
of snake-poison when it directly enters the venous circulation. 
In contrasting the two, the Cobra poison appears more rapid 
and deadly in its action than that of the Ophiophagus. Death 
occurred from the Cobra poison in two minutes and a half, and 
from the Ophiophagus poison in twenty-two minutes. But it 
is to be remarked that the Dog was somewhat more powerful 
in the case of the Ophiophagus than in that of the Cobra; and 
that the Ophiophagus was probably weak and sickly from con¬ 
finement, whilst the Cobra was comparatively fresh and 
vigorous. 
From the opportunities I have had so far of testing the rela¬ 
tive virulence of the poisons of these snakes, I should say that, 
quantity for quantity, the poison of the Ophiophagus is not more 
deadly than that of the Cobra, if indeed it be not less so. The 
Bev. Mr. Vinton, of Rangoon, to whom I am indebted for the 
Ophiophagus, and who has much knowledge of these snakes, 
writes to me as follows :—“ In all my experiments I have 
always found that, quantity for quantity, the poison of the Ha- 
madryad was not so dangerous as either Cobra or Baboia. The 
danger with the Hamadryad is, however, in the very large 
quantities of poison. When very much enraged it clings to its 
bite, and seems determined to inject a very large quantity of 
poison into the wound.” 
From what I have seen of the Hamadryad ( Ophiophagus ) I 
am inclined to form the same opinion as Mr. Vinton. The 
snake, when it did bite, held on with much pertinacity, and in 
earlier experiments, when it was made to shed its poison by 
biting a leaf stretched across a shell, at least half a drachm was 
obtained of a bright orange-coloured viscid fluid, which I have 
already described. 
But nothing that I have seen of it in captivity confirms the 
account of its aggressive nature. Indeed it seems rather slug¬ 
gish and difficult to rouse, not assuming readily the menacing 
and angry look of the Cobra when roused. But when much 
irritated the Ophiophagus raises its head, expands the hood, 
hisses, and strikes, though not so fiercely as the Cobra. It is 
probably different in the wild state, where, it is said when 
roused to take the initiative and not only attack but chase its 
enemy, even man. 
Experiment No. 32. 
About five drops of fresh Cobra poison, just taken from the 
snake, were put into a Fowl’s mouth at 2.5 p.m., and were ap¬ 
parently immediately swallowed. The Fowl was evidently 
affected, its feathers rather ruffled; it drooped and was purged. 
It kept constantly shaking its head and trying to sneeze, if we 
may so describe the action in a Fowl. It drooped for a time, 
but the following day had quite recovered. The crop was full 
of grain, and hence the poison probably was diffused through¬ 
out the contents, and was not brought into contact sufficiently 
with the mucous membrane to produce fatal poisoning. Former 
experiments have abundantly proved the danger of applying the 
poison to a mucous surface. 
Note. —The Bungarus fasciatus bitten by the Cobra on the 
23rd of July died on the 28th July. It was found that the 
Cobra bite had ulcerated, and a putrid opening in the tissues 
exposed the ribs. It evidently did not die of the direct effects 
of the poison. The Cobras bitten by other Cobras are alive 
and well (July 28tli). As these snakes were all severely bitten 
by fresh and vigorous Cobras, I think it may be fairly said 
that they cannot poison each other or themselves. 
I am indebted to Mr. Richards, Civil Medical Officer of 
Bancoorali, for the following experiments, which he was kind 
enough to make at my request with the “ Krait” or Bungarus 
cceruleus. The snake is said to be common in that part 
of Bengal, and is known there to the natives as the “ Dhomun 
Chiti— 
Experiment No. 1. 
August 1st, 1870.—A “Krait” ( Bungarus cceruleus'), after 
being irritated for five or six minutes, was made to bite the 
comb of a Fowl at 6.55 p.m.; it died, with the usual 
symptoms preceding, at 7.27, or in thirty-two minutes. The 
body was opened at once and the blood taken from the heart 
coagulated immediately. 
Experiment No. 2. 
August 2nd.—The same Krait was made to bite a Fowl’s 
fore-arm at 1.28 p.m. The snake held on for some time. The 
bitten part, which bled very much, was at once burnt with a 
piece of iron made red hot. 1.40 p.m. —Tail drooping slightly; 
looks rather sluggish. 2 p.m. —Apparently much better, and is 
eating some rice. 2.15 p.m. —Rests the beak upon the ground 
and is crouching. 2.25 p.m. —Crouched in a corner; endeavours 
to keep its beak resting on the ground, but the head falls 
on one side; presently became convulsed. 3.20. — Dead—• 
in one hour and fifty-two minutes. Body opened thirty 
minutes after death. The heart contained fluid blood, which, 
however, coagulated immediately on being drawn from it, 
except a portion that was mixed with liquor potassse, which did 
not coagulate, and became very dark. 
Experiment No. 3. 
The same Krait was made to bite a Fowl’s fore-arm at 2.12 
p.m. 3 p.m. —Drooping and drowsiness began in seventeen 
minutes : now staggers, and then squats down. Fifteen minims 
of liquor potassae with water, administered. 3.14 p.m. —En¬ 
deavours to keep the head straight on the ground, but the head 
constantly drops on one side or the other. 3.28.—Dead—in 
one hour and sixteen minutes. The body was opened seven 
minutes after death. The blood was fluid, but coagulated 
immediately on being drawn from the body. 
This last Fowl died much quicker than the second, although 
bitten after, and with less severity. Either the excessive 
bleeding or the actual cautery in the case of the second Fowl 
prolonged life. I am inclined to believe it was the former. 
