Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-05-02
Giterarp 5eIeftious.
THE VENOM OF sERPENTs.
BIZ J. GILMAN, NJ. D.

BT J. GILMAN, N. D.
There is much in the history and hab-
its Of the reptile tribes, however repul-
sive they may be in appearance, that is
very Interesting. During a scjourn of
two or three months in the interior of
Arkansas, which appears to me to be the
paradise of reptiles, I paid some attention
to that branch of natural history called
ophiolOgy. 1 found four distinct varieties
Of .rattlesnakes (Orotalus), of which the
crctalus kirtlandi are most numerous.
The former is the largest serpentin in North
America. The family of moccasin snakes
(colluber) is also quite numerous, there
being not less than ten varieties, most of
which are quite venomous as the rattle
snake.
By dissecting great numbers of differ
ent species learned that the anatomical
structure of the poisoning apparatus is
similar in all the different varieties of
venomous serpents. 1t consists of a strong
framework Of bone, with its appropriate
muscles in the upper part of the head,
resembling, and being, in fact, pair of
jaws; but externally to the jaws proper,
and much stronger. To these is attached
by aginglymold articulation, one or more
movable fangs on each side, just at the
vergeof the mouth, capable of being raised
at pleasure. These fangs are very hard,
and sharp, and crooked, like the claws of
cat, with hollow from the base TO near
thepoint. l have occasionally seen a thin
shit of bone divide this hollow, making
two- At their base is found small sac.
containing two or three drops Of venom
of which resembles thin honey. The sac
Is 50 connected with the cavity of the fang
during Its erection, that a slight upward
pressure forces the venom into the fang
at lis base, and makes It's exit at a small
slit or opening near the point, with con-
siderable force; thus it is carried to the
bottom of any wound made By the fang.
Unless the fangs are erected for battle,
they lie concealed in the upper part of
the mouth, sunk between the external
and internal jaw bones, somewhat ike a
penknife blade shut mp in its handle,
where they are covered by fold of men,
brane, which encloSes them ike a sheath ;
this is the ragina dentiS. There can be
no doubt but these fangs are frequently
broken off or shed, as the head grow:
broader to make room for new ones nearer
the verge Of the mouth; for within tht
vagina DENTS of a very large crotalus hor
ridus, 1 found no less than five fangs OF
each side, in all states of formation-tht
smallest in half pulpy or cartilaginou:
state, the next something harder, the
third still more perfect, and so on to tht
main, well-set, perfect fang. Each 0
these teeth had a well-defned cavity lik,
the main one. Three fangs on each sid
were frequently found in copper heads
Vipers, and others.
The process of robbing serpents of thei
venom is easily accomplished by the al
OF chioroform, few drops of which stu
pefes them. Ii, while they are under its in
huence, they are carefully seized by tn
neck and the vagina DENTS held out of tn
way by an assistant with pair of forcep.
and the fang be erected and gently presse
upward, the venom will be seen from tn
tang and dropping from its point. It'll
then be absorbed by bit Of sponge, c
caught In vial, or on the point of lar
Get After robbing several serpents
this manner, they were found, after tw
days, to be as highly charged as ever wit
venom of equal intensity with that Or
taken.
During the process of robbing sever
species of serpents, / inoculated sever
small but vigorous and perfectly health
vegetables with the point of lancet We
charged with venom. The next day tn.
we're withered and dead, looking as thou.
they had been scathed with lightning.
attempting to preserve few drops
venom, for future experiments, in sm;
slai with two or three parts of alcohol,
was iound in short time to have lost
venomous properties. But after mixil
the venom with aqua ammonia, or spir
OF turpentine, or oil of peppermint, or
cinnamon, Or of cloves, or with nitric
sulphuric acid, it still seemed to act wi
undiminished energy. 1t is best preserv
however, for future use, by triturati
with refined sugar or sugar of milk.
a very fine, large cotton-mouth snal
beng captured by putting a shoe-stri
around him, became excessively ferocio
striking at even the crack of a small rid
whip. Finding himself prisoner wi