EXPERIMENTS ON THE INFLUENCE OF SNAKE-POISON. 
135 
In this case it did not occur for several hours. But the animal 
died with the same symptoms as all other creatures poisoned by 
the deadly venom. 
This last experiment, however, certainly seems to show that, 
whether by its activity or owing to the protective influence of its 
thick hair, it has, when bitten, a toleration of the poison greater 
than that of other animals of similar size. Such indeed is the 
case in other animals ; for instance, the Cat is apparently less 
sensitive to the poison than the Dog. 
August 21th, 1S70. 
Present, Dr. Fayrer. 
Experiment No. 11. 
A piece of the side of an ordinary patent leather shoe, 
consisting of one fold of patent leather and one of thin 
leather lining, was fastened on to a Pariah Dog’s thigh, in 
the fashion of a boot or shoe. A powerful full-grown fresh 
Cobra was then made to close his jaws on the part. This he 
attempted to do at once and bit freely several times, but 
he was evidently quite unable to make the fangs penetrate, 
or at all events he could not do more than make them 
partially penetrate. The Dog was unharmed. The ex¬ 
periment was made at 4.3 p.m. : at 4.40 the Dog was quite un¬ 
affected, showing that the teeth had not penetrated. A large 
quantity of poison was shed on the leather, as the snake 
touched the surface in closing his jaws: it was poured in 
quantities—at least twenty drops must have been exuded. 
It would appear from this experiment that an ordinary shoe 
would protect the foot from being bitten. Boots or shoes and 
leather gaiters would be very safe. 
Experiment No. 12. 
Part of the sleeve of an ordinary black cloth coat, lined with 
silk, was made to cover a Pariah Dog’s hind-leg, and the cloth 
folded over the part was presented to a very powerful and fresh 
Cobra of the largest size, nearly six feet long. He bit fiercely 
two or three times ; the fangs embedded themselves in the cloth, 
and it was soon saturated with poison, but the Dog showed no 
signs that the fangs had penetrated his leg, nor was blood 
drawn. This occurred at 4.7 p.m. 4.37.—Dog not affected. 
4.40. —The sleeve again applied, and another very large Cobra 
made to close his jaws on the leg enveloped in the sleeve. 
This he did with the greatest vigour, but the fangs apparently 
did not penetrate the leg ; as before the coat was saturated with 
poison. A third very large Cobra was made to bite, and this 
time the Dog winced as though punctured. 4.50.—The Dog 
seems sluggish, as though partially under the influence of the 
poison. 5.5.—He now looks lively, as though he were un¬ 
affected. He perfectly recovered after this, and at noon the 
following day was quite well. 
The fold of black cloth and silk in this case proved almost a 
complete protection. 
Experiment No. 13. 
Two folds of ordinary white flannel were wrapped round a 
large Pariah Dog’s thigh, and a large and fresh Cobra was 
made to bite through these. The snake bit fiercely and re¬ 
tained his hold for a time. The fangs penetrated the Dog’s 
leg, for blood marked the punctures. This was at 4.11. The 
flannel was soaked with poison. 4.27.—Dog sluggish, evidently 
affected. 4.37.—In the same state. 4.54.—Seems uneasy, whines, 
and snarls. 5.—Very restless; lies down; up again. 5.8.— 
When he walks is very lame on bitten leg, and staggers in his 
gait. 5.20.—Vomited. 5.30.—Purged. 5.35.—Convulsed. 
5.40. —Dying. 5.50.—Dead—in ninety-nine minutes. 
Blood coagulated firmly after death. The flannel did partially, 
though it would not completely, protect; the intensity of the 
poisoning was certainly diminished. 
Experiment No. 14. 
A woollen knitted sock was placed on a Fowl’s leg, and a 
powerful Cobra made to bite through it at 4.37 p.m. The fangs 
penetrated, and the Fowl died almost immediately—so rapidly 
that I was doubtful whether it had not been squeezed to death 
in handling it. 
Experiment No. 15. 
The same woollen sock put on to a Dog’s thigh at 4.38 p’.m., 
and a full-grown vigorous Cobra made to bite through it. The' 
fangs penetrated, for the Dog whined, and blood points marked 
the punctures 4.39. — Limps. 4.52. — Much affected, legs 
weak. 5.4.—Vomiting. 5.10.—Convulsed. 5.12.—Died—in 
thirty-four minutes. 
Blood coagulated firmly. The sock was not sufficient pro¬ 
tection, the fangs penetrated, and the poison in both cases acted 
rapidly. 
Experiment No. 16. 
A large Cobra was made to bite on a single fold of a piece of 
American drill, such as white trousers are usually made of in 
India. The fangs penetrated and their points could be seen on 
the other side. This cloth would afford no protection against 
Cobra bite. 
Experiment No. 17. 
A drop of poison from the Cobra shed in Experiment No. 1 
was dropped into a large Fowl’s eye at 4.10 p.m. 4.37.—The 
Fowl has been drowsy and stupid for some minutes ; the eye 
also is much congested. 4.56.—Five drops of Cobra poison put 
into its mouth and washed down with a teaspoonful of water. 
4.58.—Very drowsy. 5.6.—Very sluggish; head drooping; 
purged. 5.30.—Feathers all ruffled; purged. 7.3.—Crouched; 
head nodding. 8.20.—Convulsed. 9.—-Dying. 10.—Found 
dead. 
Blood coagulated firmly on removal. In this case death did 
not occur for nearly five hours. 
Experiment No. 18. 
A drop of Cobra poison put into an Albino Rabbit’s eye at 
4.24 p.m., and about six drops of the same diluted with a tea¬ 
spoonful of water put into its mouth, which it swallowed. 
4.26.—Eye very slightly congested. 4.28.—Very restless ; 
twitching movements of head. 4.31.—A few violent convul¬ 
sions, and then death—in seven minutes. 
The blood was removed in fifteen minutes, and coagulated 
firmly. Experiments No. 7 and 8 prove beyond a doubt that 
the poison is absorbed by a mucous membrane, and that it is 
as dangerous to apply it to those surfaces as to introduce it into 
the stomach. 
The practice of sucking a poisoned snake-bite may be 
attended with danger, and should be discontinued, as it en¬ 
dangers a second life, whilst probably doing but little good for 
the first. The first six experiments show how far protection 
may be conferred by certain articles of dress. A pair of boots 
or shoes and gaiters protect (probably entirely) the parts 
covered. Broad cloth lined with silk is almost complete pro¬ 
tection in case of the Cobra bite, and a fortiori in that of the 
“ Krait.” Flannel, white American drill, and a woollen sock 
afford some, but very little protection. 
TWENTY-FOURTH SERIES. 
Experiments on the Influence of the Poisons of Echis carinata, 
Bungarus cceruleus, and Naja tripudians. 
September 1th, 1870. 
Present, Dr. Fayrer. 
Through the kindness of Major McMahon, Deputy Com¬ 
missioner of Delhi, I have received several very fine living 
