4 TREATMENT OF SNAKE POISONING. 



6. Doubtless mortification of the parts below the ligatures may be 

 caused, if they are retained beyond from half an hour to an hour ; but, 

 in patients who have been effectively bitten by any of the venomous 

 snakes described in this work, the danger to life from mortification, 

 which can easily be dealt with by the surgeon in due course, is not 

 to be compared to that to be encountered by the uncontrolled ab- 

 sorption of the poison into the blood. In the first case, life may be 

 saved ; in the second, judging from the vast experience of Sir Joseph 

 Fayrer and others, death is almost certain to follow. 



7. In addition to the above measures, which, notwithstanding their 

 apparent severity, are nevertheless merciful and humane, moderate doses 

 of stimulants may be given until the physician or surgeon arrives. 

 Thus fifteen drops of pure liquor ammoniae in an ounce of water may be 

 administered every twenty minutes, until three or four doses are taken. 

 For a similar purpose a table-spoonful of brandy, rum, whisky, or arrack 

 thoroughly distilled in a wineglassful of water may be given from time to 

 time until, say, a couple of ounces have been swallowed. It is doubtful 

 whether any good is derived from over- stimulation ; under- is better than 

 over-stimulation. Thus care must be taken not to push the doses of alcohol 

 in the shape of brandy, rum, whisky, or arrack, so as to produce inebriation. 

 During the exhibition of stimulants, nourishment in a liquid form — animal 

 soups, and milk, or eggs beaten up with brandy, &c, should be employed. 

 If the depression and feeling of sinking be marked, mustard plasters 

 should be applied to the region of the heart or pit of the stomach, or 

 over the medulla, behind the nape of the neck, or to all three regions at 

 once. No apparent benefit is derived from compelling the patient to 

 move about ; on the contrary, such enforced exertion increases the 

 tendency to exhaustion. Give the patient rest in a cool and thoroughly 

 well-ventilated room, protected from the sun ; he should be fanned with 

 the punkah if needful. All these measures may be had recourse to by 

 even untrained persons. Some of the means suggested are certainly most 

 severe, " and not such as under any other circumstances should be en- 

 trusted to non-professional persons ; but the alternative is so dreadful that, 

 even at the risk of unskilful treatment, it is better that the patient should 

 have this chance of recovery." — (Fayrer.) Galvanism to the heart and dia- 

 phragm, and the Sylvester and Marshall Hall methods of artificial respira- 

 tion have also been recommended in cases where the prostration is extreme. 



