Page:AJWall Indian Snake Poisons.djvu/65

40 1.16 P.M. Pulse 78, pupils normal.

1.17 P.M. Respirations 28.

1.20 P.M. Slight twitchings of respiratory muscles.

1.23 P.M. Respirations 8.

1.24 P.M. Strong convulsions; micturated; pupils contracted.

1.25 P.M. All respiratory movements stopped ; temperature 103°.1 F.

1.26 P.M. Pupils dilated.

1.27½ P.M. Heart stopped. Dead.

The temperature began to fall directly after death.

In cases of cobra-poisoning of longer duration, we have the disturbing influence of the local inflammation to consider, which would account for some variation in temperature.

In the special senses and their organs no marked change can be seen in cobra-poisoning: as long as consciousness is preserved the victim appears to see and hear perfectly. In regard to the eye there is very little to be noticed. The pupil can be said neither to be dilated nor contracted by the influence of the poison; at the moment of death it dilates widely, while up to that time it responds to light. If life be preserved by artificial respiration the pupils remain somewhat contracted. I once noticed the pupil remain contracted after death from cobra-poisoning, in which long-continued artificial respiration had been resorted to. Whether cobra-