The profession is under obligation to the late Dr. Hering for the introduction of lachesis, and other serpent-poisons, into the homoe- opathic materia medica. The viper lachesis trigonocephalus is a native of Guiana and is supposed to be the largest poisonous snake known, its length vary- ing from three to fourteen feet. Toxicologists have taught, that the poison of serpents, introduced into the stomach, does not develop poisonous effects. The latest researches are fully in accord with the statements made by Dr. Higgins, who informs us that a person whose digestive organs are perfectly sound, can take two or three drops of the poison of the crotalus horridus in a teaspoonful of water, without producing fatal effects ; but should an organic lesion exist, such as an abrasion of the mucous membrane, or an ulceration, the poison would then act toxically by being absorbed into the part where the lesion exists, and prove fatal in precisely the same manner as the bite of the snake. While we cannot ignore the result of proviugs made in the usual manner, we are strongly inclined to believe that provings made by hypodermic injections of dilutions of the poison would add very much to our positive knowledge of its action upon the healthy; we are also ready to assert that the highest curative powers of lachesis, and of other serpent poisons, would be developed, if the medicire were administered to the sick in a similar manner. It has been thought that the poison of these reptiles acts in the manner of soluble ferments. Very recent investigations, made by M. Lacerda, at Kio de Janeiro, show "that the matter in question contains what is called figured ferments, the analogy of which*with bacterides is very remarkable. From a young and vigorous crotalus, subjected to the action of chloroform, he obtained a drop of the venom on a chemically clean piece of glass, and at once placed it under a microscope. Almost immediately he observed the forma- tion of filamentous pulp of an aborescent disposition. Gradually 272 LACHESIS. the thickened filament, after having pushed out spores, dissolved and disappeared, and the liberated spores swelled and enlarged visi- bly, each of them sending out a minute tube, which lengthened rapidly. After a very short period, the latter separated from the first spore and constituted another nucleus for engendering the deadly contamination. In the examination of the blood of animals killed by the bite of one of these snakes M. Lacerda noticed that the red globules of the blood commenced to present some small brilliant points on the surface, which spread with great rapidity, and ultimately the globules melted one into the other, forming a sort of amorphous paste, which could no longer circulate in the veins. Other animals, into which that blood was injected immediately after the death of the first, expired in a few hours, presenting all the symptoms of having themselves been bitten, and their blood showed the same alteration." {Homoeopathic Times, June, 1879.) It has also been taught that alcohol wholly destroys the poisonous qualities of the venum. Higgins declares such teaching to be erro- neous, and states that the mixing of the venom with alcohol, sulphuric acid, etc., in a diluted or undiluted state, does not rob the venom of its poisonous properties. Nor does age lessen the force of the poison. Magendie's experiments show that the poison of a viper may be kept in a vial for a long time without loosing its terri- ble power. Poison, kept in this way for twenty-two and even twenty-six months, was still able to cause a swift death, when intro- duced into the current of the circulation. It has been mixed with water, frozen and kept for half an hour at 4° below zero, without losing its virulence any more than it did by being kept at a temper- ature of 212° F. It has been boiled before being injected; there was simply a lessening in the intensity of local action, but its constitutional effects were, as usual, fatal. It has been kept, diluted with water, until decomposition of the animal matter set in and animalcules made their appearance ; upon testing the poison, it dis- played its usual promptness of action. We must not overlook the fact that all of the serpent poisons ha^ many effects in common, while each group has its own char- acteristics. While all cause death with more or less certainty and promptness, one strikes a deadly blow at life with the rapidity of a flash of lightning, while the other produces prolonged suffering ; one aims at the heart and speedy death follows; another causes the living mass of human flesh to rot and drop off, until the bone is LACHESIS. 273 laid bare, a large vein is readied, the opening of which at last closes the scene, (see Higgins on Ophidians, page 99). A differential study of these poisons, then, becomes a matter of necessity. One difficulty in the study of serpent poisons and their effects upon the system arises from contradictory statements made by various authors. To explain these, we must remember that at cer- tain seasons of the year the poisonous properties of the venom are more developed than at others ; hence the bite of the same animal may produce different results at different times. "Just at the time when the snake begins to change its skin and enters into the state of semi-torpidity consequent upon this change, the poison loses its venomous principle, and what is still more singular, the gall loses its bitter principle and becomes sweet to the taste. The poison ex- tracted from the reptile in this state is a milky, thick, viscous fluid, which soon separates itself into a white, ropy sediment, and a super- natant, transparent, slightly viscous liquid, showing no trace of acidity. Neither the sediment nor the colorless liquid alone or in combination causes death in pigeons or dogs, but a septicaemia is produced which is limited and not profound in its action. The poison continues in this condition until the state of torpidity ceases, and when the colors on the new skin are very brightly marked and distinct, the venomous principle is again restored to the poison and the bitter principle to the gall." (Ophidians, page 135.) Another point of importance is the fact, that in all probability the poison loses much of the intensity of its action when the animal is in a state of captivity. The student of animal life knows how effectually a state of compulsory confinement changes the nature of animals ; Why should it not. then qualify the nature of its physiological products? In the study of cases of poisoning it is also necessary to observe the locality of an injury received, for the nearer the heart the loca- tion of a bite is, the more rapidly will fatal results show themselves. Again, constitutional peculiarities of the wounded person must be properly estimated, and in the cases of animals, sight must not be lost of the fact, that the poison acts more swiftly in warm-blooded animals than in those of the other class. Dr. Kuehn relates the following case of poisoning by the trigono- cephalus lachesis in a Dutch magazine : "A young soldier, at the moment he was bitten by this serpent, felt as if he had been struck by lightning and fell down without VOL. II.— 17. 274 LACHESIS. consciousness. In this condition he vomited and passed stool. After the lapse of an hour he recovered his senses, complained of great oppression and anxiety on the chest, with constant inclination to vomit. 'Che hand and arm became inflamed and swollen ; there was dryness in the mouth, constant thirst, great pain in the arm, continual fever and dryness of the skin. For seven days the urinary and alvine secretions were entirely interrupted ; the face was bloated and swollen, the eyes dull, the pulse small and hurried, the skin dry and burning, the tongue coated and thirst unceasing. The pains from the hand to the chest were intolerable ; the hands and fingers were very much swollen and insensible ; the place where the bite had been inflicted was gangrenous ; the arm, as far as the shoulder, was inflamed and swollen ; here and there the arm was covered with gangrenous blisters, so that it became necessary to amputate it. The case just cited illustrates the differential points between the action of lachesis and that of other serpent poisons. It is, as Dr. Hughes remarks, generally admitted that the constitutional phenom- ena resulting from snake-bites depend partly upon blood-poisoning and partly upon distress of the nerve centers. While the crotalus horridus, of all the serpents, seems to exert its most specific effect upon the blood, the lachesis attacks the great nerve centers. The person wounded drops as if a bolt from heaven had smitten him ; con- sciousness leaves him to return only after the lapse, of an hour. And as we carefully examine the symptoms which follow, we do not only recognize, in unmistakably plain language, the powerful effect of the poison upon the sympatheticus and vagus, but are inclined to look upon the subsequent changes in the sanguineous fluid as depend- ing largely upon this primary disturbance in the nervous system, making due allowance for the direct effect of the venom upon the blood. "Lachesis, in common with other serpent poisons, produces, first, direct weakness of the heart's action ; second, weakened respiration and difficult deglutition ; third, an incoagulable condition of the blood, and, fourth, actual disorganization of the muscular tissue. Locally, it produces gangrene." (Dunham.) "Lachesis, aside from its specific action upon the nerve-cells and fibres, impairs the phys- iological fitness of the blood-cells and acts with decomposing effect upon the blood. It causes pains of various kinds and sensation of pulsation in various parts of the body, uncommon weariness of body and mind, relaxation and total collapse of strength and great desire to lie down, especially in the forenoon and after dinner; general condition impaired and suffering, and longing for absolute rest. LACHESIS. 275 Paiu as from bruises in the muscles, attacks of fainting, trembling and jerking; general jerks through the body and spasmodic par- oxysms with stretching of the body, appearance of the complaints on alternate sides. Spring air, riding in a carriage, drinking of wine and smoking, aggravate ; many complaints announce themselves in the morning and also immediately after awaking (also from an after-dinner nap) ; the open air affords relief." (Heinigke, Patho- genetic Outlines.) Among the characteristics $f lachesis the following are of especial value : Great depression of body and mind ; profound sadness ; sore throat, beginning on the left side, extending to the ear, and accompanied by tightness in the larynx ; cannot bear the slightest pressure around the throat ; aggravation of symptoms after sleep, or, as has been recently stated, "the patient's suffering waken him from sleep." CEREBRO-SPINAL AND NERVOUS GROUPS. Lachesis has caused : Vertigo, from looking at any object, mo- mentary, on closiug the eyes, with pale face ; with heaviness in the head, like lead, worse about the occiput. Severe pains all over the head, so he cannot see or stand, must lean against the wall. Fre- quent congestion to the head, with dullness of the head. Headache over the eyes and forehead, pressing, hammering, bursting, throb- bing, worse after awaking from sleep ; aggravated by pressure and stooping. Pale or bloated and red countenance ; stupid expression of the countenance. Pressing, burning pains in the temples, better when lying down. Numbness and crawling on the left side of the head, when touched or on moving the muscles. Distorted features. Languor, weariness ; trembling all over. Neuralgic pains, changing locality, usually darting from left to right. Tearing, pricking pains in various parts of the body. Numbness of the left arm, with pal- pitation of the heart and anxiety about the heart; small, weak unequal, intermittent pulse ; pulse alternately full and small.