5 BOTANIC PHYSICIAN. 
‘Poisons is very ancient. There can be no danger in performing jt, 
as the poison does no harm unless it be taken into the body by a © 
_ Wound. The person who sucks the wound, however, ought to wash 
= his mouth frequently with sallad or sweet oil, which will secure him - 
from the last inconvenience. 
‘he remedies for the bites of all venomous. reptiles are much the 
same. In all cases the safest method is to have the poison sucked 
out immediately ; first scarifying the wound, or even cutting outa 
_ portion. After this, apply tobacco spittle, or a poultice of tobacco 
and vinegar. Tobacco is a powerful antidote to the poison of alk: 
serpents. Asa substitute, the wound may be cleansed with the 
juice of plantain, and dressed with the leaves, A tea spoonful of the ~ 
-_ Juice should also be taken every half hour, and likewise drink freely. 
Of vinegar whey, or vinegar diluted, to make him sweat. A lobelia 
_ emetic has great effect in severe cases, in expelling the poison. 
The following prescription for the cure of the bite of a rattlesnake, 
discovered many years since by a negro in South Carolina, 
where it is considered an effectual remedy; take of the herbs plan- 
_ tatwand horehound, in summer, roots and branches together, asuffi- — 
cient quantity ; bruise them in a mortar, and squeeze out the juice ; 
of which give, as soon as possible, one large spoonful ; if the patient 
be swelled, you must force it down his throat. This generally will 
cure; but if he finds no relief in an hour after, give another spoonful, 
which never fails. If the roots are dried, they must be moistened 
with a little water. Tobacco should also be applied to the wound. 
The symptoms of the bite of a rattlesnake are, nausea, a full, strong, 
agitated pulse, the whole body swells, the eyes are suffused with 
blood ; sometimes bloody sweat, bleeding at the nose, eyes, and ears ; 
_ the teeth chatter, interrupted groans. "i 
1 regard to poisons, generally, the following rules should be ob- 
ach, it Ought as soon as possible to be discharged by vomits, clys- 
ters and purges ; and when the poison has been received into the 
belly by a wound, it should be expelled by medicines which promote: 
the different secretions, especially those of perspiration and urine- 
The pleurisy root, in strong decoction, given in large and repeated 
doses, till it vomits, has ofien cured the bite of a rattlesnake. Another 
remedy which is used successfully in some parts, is muskrat skin, 
burned, and a table spoonful of the ashes given in molasses two or 
three times, with intervals of an hour. 
_ The patient is very thirsty if the poison is diffused through the 
_ System, but he must not be allowed to drink. ‘The Indians, when 
bitten, after sucking the wound, apply a strip of white ash bark above 
the wound, which they imagine prevents the extension of the poison, 
and it seems to have that effect. : ; $ 
The bites of spiders, and such like venomous insects, require the — 
same treatment as above prescribed. 
With regard to the stings of other insects, as the bee, wasp, hornet, 
&c. they are seldom attended with danger, unless a person happens 
to be stung by a great number of them at the same time. In tl 
ase, the parts may be bathed with salt and vinegar, or sal ammo-~ 
fiiac and vinegar; or honey may be laid on. ; 
