The news., 1886-04-27

in others. Its specific gravity is slight
ly greater than water, in which it is
freely soluble. Placed in achohol, a
portion dissolves, and is harmless,
The rest coagulates in stringy masses
like albumen, and is the poisonous
element. Heat coagulates the entire
mass easily, and a slightly musky and
disagreeable odor is emitted. The
venom contains saline matter and
phosphates, forming groups of crystals
under the miscroscope, which also de-
tects globules of fat matter Acetic
acid dissolves it an keeps its properties
unimpaired for years. l accumulated
quite quantity of the venom some
years ago, and tried number of ex-
periments to determine its physiologi-
cal and chemical properties. 1t was
neutral with both litmus and tur-
meric. Placed in contact with fresh
blood, however, it became rapidly acid
emitted musky odor, and coagulated
fibrin rapidly. 1t also acted as
putrefacient. divided fresh liver
and injected drop of rattlesnake ve-
nom in one half. Exposed under
similar condition, this piece was putrid
in a few hours, while the other was
untainted for over: day. These two
actions give hint of its deadly quality.
First, it acts as an irritant, alone is
comparatively slight, but even this is
lessened by the stimulant.
rusted several needles with nitric
acid, and then gave them a coat of
venom, to try some experiments with
animals. A mouse, on being punct-
ured in the leg, died in less than
minute, there being but one spasmodic
convulsion. Rabbits, a few seconds
after the wound was given gave one
wild leap and fell struggling, death
ensuing in three or four minutes, the
breathing being labored and irregular,
as though by paralysis of the pneu-
mogastic nerve. buried an abun-
dantly coated needle in the thigh of
cur. He emitted little yelp of sur
prise, then trotted off unconcerned,
Suddenly he stopped, as though he
had forgotten something, then tried
to proceed, but his hind quarters sag
ged and refused to move. | approach
ed. His eyes were bloodshot, fixed.
and staring, hair erect, lips retracted
and tongue protruding. His respira-
ton was labored and irregular and he
emitted a cry that was half moan, half
howl, as with mingled pain and terror.
Suddenly he went into a convulsion.
which required at short intervals for
twelve minutes, when he died. Cats
behave more violently, frothing at the
mouth and giving vent to terrible
cries, death not coming to their relief
for thirty minutes or more
On frogs the effect was electric;
the luckless batrachians simply
stretched out, quivered, and yielded
up the ghost. A gold fish simply turn
ed belly up in four minutes, and in
eleven minutes WAS dead A rattle
snake was dosed, and after eight mln-
utes of active contortions gave but fee-
ble signs Of life for an hour and ten
minutes, and then was STILL Post
mortem examination showed an an
aemic condition of the brain and an
engagement of the ventricle with
dark clots, but no other signs. Apply
ing the stethoscope to dog strapped
down and punctured, found the ac-
ton of the heart to be at first violent.
but regular, and then irregular and
weak. Four drops, administered to
dog internally, seemed to have marked
sedative effect, but the symptom soon
passed away. was encouraged by
this into taking one drop myself, dilu-
ted largely with water and taken
through tube. l fancied there was a
slight increase and irregularity of heart
action, and certainly muscular relaxa-
ton sufficient to produce marked
perspiration, but the effect was tenn
porary. If this experiment should be
repeated, | would caution the expert
menter to be sure he has no abrasion
on lip, tongue or palate, and that his
teeth and gums are sound, or he may
have to record symptoms not in the
above catalogue of my experience.
| concur in the belief that, admitted
to the circulation, rattlesnake virus
paralyzes the heart, but believe the
effect is first rather cerebral than di-
rectly carlice. | have no doubt embo-
lism occurs in many cases where the
| poison has reached a large vein and is
carried directly to the heart, exercising
lis cAagulant power there but this is
the exception, and not the rule. At
all events, ammonia, is indicated, and,
in conjunction with liberal use of al
c1hol, believe it to be the best rem
edy which can be applied. To lance
the wound promptly after tightly bind
ing the injured limb above the wound,
would be eilicacious in lessening the
danger, but in any case whiskey and
ammonia in small doses, frequently
repeated will be necessary resort.
| have seen the Apaches on the Tul-
erosa Reservation, in New Mexico,
take deer'sliver, induce rattlesnake
to strike it repeatedly, allow it to get
putrid, and then smear their arrow
heads with it, but unless freshly used
the virus so applied would have no
effect. Exposed to air, it quickly loses
its properties particularly when in
contact with serum or fibrum.
In quantity, the venom injected by
large and active rattle snake is about
four minims, or two for each fang. He
can strike twice or thrice in rapid sue
cession with deadly effect, but soon
the glands are unable to keep up the
supply and he will require some min
utes to recuperate. Snake charmers
usually scar the glands with hot
iron, leaving the fangs intact, but
, only capable of making slight flesh
wound. Too much care cannot be ex-
, ercised in dissecting rattlesnake's
head, for the glands secrete for some
, time after death, and little of the
virus goes long way.
During the hot days of August and
September, the rattlesnake is indolent
, and very i'll tempered. This is the
f season when they are supposed to be