Page:AJWall Indian Snake Poisons.djvu/63

38 having been more slowly absorbed, when no marked change occurs for some time, and then some irregularity in respiration is noticed, and the respiratory action is soon, but, at the same time, gradually abolished; the convulsions of asphyxia may terminate life. This mode of death is very commonly seen in dogs which have been bitten by vigorous cobras. Lastly, there is that gentle primary stimulation of the respiratory function which is shown only by acceleration, and which is soon followed by lessening and retardation of the respiratory movement, and, finally, by its complete cessation. This appears to be the way in which cobra-poison in the vast majority of cases destroys the human subject.

It should be noted that, though the final convulsions of asphyxia which occur in cobra-poisoning can be removed at will by artificial respiration, and that they recur when the aeration of the blood is stopped, yet that the process of natural respiration cannot be restored by these means after it has once ceased, though the action of the heart and life may be prolonged for some time.

Cobra-poison cannot be said to exercise a very great effect on the circulation. The heart can be kept acting, and the blood circulating, for very many hours after the rest of the functions of the body have been