Actions of Whole and Fractionated Indian Cobra (Naja Naja) Venom on Skeletal Muscle

Muscular weakness is a prominent feature in man of poisoning by the bite of the Indian cobra (Naja naja). The principal cause of death in experimental animals is asphyxia resulting from paralysis The earliest studies (Brunton & Fayrer, 1873, 1874) showed that cobra venom has an action on the direct excitability of skeletal muscle as well as a " curare-like " action on the neuromuscular junction. In frog isolated skeletal muscle it is not possible to demonstrate a complete neuromuscular block with cobra venom in the absence of any effect on the direct excitability of the muscle