Summary
1. The normal clotting time of plasma can be further reduced if Russell’s viper venom
and calcium are preincubated and then added to the plasma instead of using them separately;
the percentage of reduction in clotting time is dependent upon the time of incubation
of RV venom and calcium.
2. Incubation of the venom with the plasma on the contrary destroys the thromboplastic
activity of the venom; here too, the percentage loss of RV venom thromboplastic activity
depends upon the time of incubation.
3. Among the many divalent metals tested such as Ba, Sr, Zn, Mg and Mn, only Ba and
Sr were found to be capable of replacing Ca in the coagulation process (conversion
of prothrombin to thrombin by RV venom), although they were less active than Ca when
used at the same concentration range, furthermore Sr was more active than Ba.
