TREATMENT OF SNAKE-BITES 195 



titles after snake-bite is in no way to be recom- 

 mended. 



The treatment of snake-bite has fallen into line 

 with the scientific administration of an antitoxin, as 

 in the case of many diseases, and probably most of 

 them at no far future time. The antitoxin or serum 

 employed is obtained by immunizing horses against 

 the action of the venom, and jDrocuring from these 

 animals a product which has shown the same benefi- 

 cial results as those exhibited by the serum manufac- 

 tured at the laboratories of the New York City Board 

 of Health and used so extensively in the treatment of 

 diphtheria. This antivenomous serum is now being 

 employed in India, where the death-rate from the 

 bites of poisonous snakes has averaged 20,000 a year. 



Constant association with the venomous snakes 

 renders their keepers entirely immune to fear, but 

 carelessness in a reptile house is considered a positive 

 crime, and caution is the watchword. A trip through 

 the re2)tile house at night shows much activity among 

 the viperine snakes, while the slender cobras, which 

 delight to bask in the genial sunlight, lie quietly 

 sleeping. Glittering in the light of a lantern, the 

 rattlesnakes, copperheads, and tropical vipers may be 

 seen alert and gliding noiselessly about their cages. 

 It is at this time that these creatures prefer to take 

 their food. 



