INTRODUCTION. XXV 



In general the venomous snakes of North America are much less danger- 

 ous than is supposed. What is fatal to the small animals which form their 

 food becomes much less troublesome to larger ones. The degree of danger 

 to men varies according to the size of the snake, the number of blood 

 vessels in the part bitten, and the condition of the system at the time. 

 There is a great variation in the amount of venom injected. After it has 

 bitten several times, the supply of venom is reduced, so that a bite from a 

 large specimen is not attended by serious consequences. The immediate 

 effects of the poison are a terrible pain and rapid swelling about the bitten 

 part, followed by general nervous prostration or exhaustion, retarded res- 

 piration, and enfeebled action of the heart, accompanied by vomiting, 

 perspiration, and partial loss of control of the muscles. When not fatal, 

 recovery is very rapid, usually being complete in about three days. A 

 peculiar swelling on the jaws remains for a long time in cattle that have 

 been bitten. Fatal cases in which men have been victims probably do not 

 number as many as one in twenty. The remedies are cutting out the bite, 

 burning with red-hot iron, caustic or nitric acid, suction by the mouth or 

 cups, ligatures to prevent the rapid dispersion of the poison through the 

 system, ammonia used as a wash and taken internally, and alcoholic stimu- 

 lants. If there are no cuts or sores in the lips or mouth, the poison can be 

 drawn out by suction; it is only when introduced into the blood that it is 

 effective. On receiving a bite, the first thing to be done is to suck out as 

 much of the poison as is possible, enlarging the wound with a knife for the 

 purpose. At once a bandage should be put on so as to keep the venom 

 from the rest of the body as long as possible. For a bite on the finger, it 

 should be tied between the bite and the hand; another ligature should be 

 placed around the wrist, and possibly a third around the arm; these should 

 be loosened gradually and for an instant at a time, the aim being to con- 

 trol the dispersion, and introduce the dangerous matter into the circulation 

 little by little. It is well to cauterize immediately if possible. Washing 

 the wound with ammonia is recommended, as also drinking a dilute mix- 

 ture of ten or fifteen drops in a glass of water. Alcoholic stimulants are 

 undoubtedly beneficial if not taken to excess, in which case they become 

 sedatives, and assist rather than counteract the poison. 



The rattle of the Rattlesnake is formed of horny rings or shells, of which 

 the first is firmly attached to the end of the tail, and each of the others 

 loosely grasps that in front of it, and is itself grasped by the next in order. 



