VALUE OF THE PLANT PANG ALA. 453 



describes it as fierce, active and aggressive, always on the defensive, 

 and ready to attack. The bite is eventually highly dangerous, 

 although the symptoms may be slow in developing. In fatal cases, 

 death usually occurs in from 4 to 6 days, and is preceded by giddi- 

 ness, great lethargy and depression, haeruorrhagic discharges, albu- 

 minuria, and occasionally lockjaw. 



Pangala root, chewed in a fresh state, has been used for some years 

 by Drs. Joynt, Langley, Barker and myself in the treatment of 

 Phoorsa bite, and with invariable success." 



The following is Dr. McCalman's illustrative case-: — Rowjee 

 Balsawant, Hindoo, police constable, aged 45, was admitted to 

 hospital on the 14th June, 1884, at 6 a. m. An hour previously he 

 was bitten on the dorsum of the foot by a Phoorsa snake, afterwards 

 recognized and killed. He was immediately given Pangala to chew 

 and a poultice of the leaves applied locally. At 9 a. m. there was 

 much pain in the part, oedematous swelling of the foot and ankle 

 extending half-way up the leg, giddiness, a feeling of great depression 

 and haemorrhage (dark- coloured) from the gums, under surface 

 of the tongue and buccal mucous membrane generally. The blood 

 expectorated did not coagulate. This bleeding had begun at 6 a. m.j 

 an hour after the man had been bitten. Pulse 72, temper- 

 ature 98 F., no dj^spnoea. Finding the haemorrhage unchecked by 

 the remedy, some perfectly fresh root just dug up was substituted for 

 that first given. The effect was soon apparent. 



At 2 p. m. giddiness less, pulse 78, temperature 99, expression 

 tranquil, urine dark-coloured, depositing a slight flocculent sediment, 

 reaction acid, sp. gr. 1012, albumen to a considerable extent. Pain 

 of the foot less. 



6 p. m., bleeding from the mouth practically stopped, giddiness 

 increased, pulse 72, temperature 99*4. Urine shews blood corpus- 

 cules under the microscope. 



15th. — No haemorrhage from the mouth; urine contains a con- 

 siderable quantity of blood ; vertigo less. Swelling of limb less. 

 Pulse as yesterday and of fair volume. 



16th. — No haemorrhage whatever. No giddiness. Urine pale, no 

 sediment, no albumen, sp. gr. 1008. Pulse 66. Stiffness of foot, 

 but no real pain. 

 58 



