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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Paper, 'The anatomy of the poisonous apparatus of the rattlesnake made by the direction of Hans Sloane' by John Ranby

Reference number: CLP/15ii/7

Date: 1727

Description

Ranby writes: 'This animal was sent from Virginia to an eminent merchant, and having been by him presented to Sir Hans Sloane, it was plac'd in my hands, on purpose to make such experiments with it as might inform mankind of the fatal symptoms which attend its bite, and the appearances in the dead bodies of such animals as have been bit by it.'

Subject: Zoology / Anatomy / Toxicology

Read to the Royal Society on 11 January 1727

Published in Philosophical Transactions as 'The anatomy of the poisonous apparatus of a rattle-snake, made by the direction of Sir Hans Sloane, Bart. Præs. Soc. Reg. & Coll. Med. Together with an account of the quick effects of its poison; by John Ranby, Esq; Surgeon to his Majesty's Houshold, and F. R. S.'

Reference number
CLP/15ii/7
Earliest possible date
1727
Physical description
Ink on paper
Page extent
17 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator name

John Ranby

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Citation

John Ranby, Paper, 'The anatomy of the poisonous apparatus of the rattlesnake made by the direction of Hans Sloane' by John Ranby, 1727, CLP/15ii/7, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/clp_15ii_7/paper-the-anatomy-of-the-poisonous-apparatus-of-the-rattlesnake-made-by-the-direction-of-hans-sloane-by-john-ranby, accessed on 06 October 2026

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https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/clp_15ii_7/paper-the-anatomy-of-the-poisonous-apparatus-of-the-rattlesnake-made-by-the-direction-of-hans-sloane-by-john-ranby

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  • Classified Papers

    The 'Classified Papers' of the Royal Society are papers from British and international natural philosophers and scholars categorised according to subject areas.

    Dates: 1592 - 1741

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