i'oisoxous Animals oi* Tiii'; JJuskkt 363 



or on foot or shank, place the ligature above the elbow or 

 knee, where there is but one bone in the limb. If the 

 rubber band is on hand much time will be saved for the 

 next step. If not, apply a ligature (tourniquet) of cloth 

 and twist it sufficiently to cut oil' circulation in the limb. 

 Do not leave a ligature in place for more than twenty 

 minutes, or thirty at the very outside, lest mortification 

 of the limb begin. 



3. As quickly as possible after being struck, but only after ap- 



plying the ligature, cut across the fang punctures for about 

 one inch, both ways, deeper than the fangs penetrated. If 

 bitten on the finger, cut to the bone at least lengthwise. 

 Look out for tendons in a cross-cut on the finger. 



4. Bleed the wound as thoroughly and rapidly as possible. If 



sucking the wound aids bleeding, suck it. 



5. After some good bleeding wash the wound thoroiighlv with 



potassium permanganate, — enough in water to produce a 

 deep wine color. If without water, as might well be the 

 case in the desert country, rub some crystals into the 

 wound, aiding their solution with saliva. This chemical 

 specifically destroys all the venom with which it comes in 

 contact. There are other substances which will do this, 

 but their action on the flesh is more injurious. If you 

 have water, use it, as the use of crystals is rather more 

 likely to injure the flesh than the use of solution. 



6. Remove ligature. 



7. At this point small doses of whiskey as a stimulant may be 



useful. Hypodermic doses of strychnine act as a powerful 

 stimulant and may be used by those properly eqviipped if 

 fainting spells indicate a need of such. 



While the above procedure is being carried out send for a 

 physician or start to one at the earliest possible moment. The 

 wounds made in the drainage process should be dressed as care- 

 fully as circumstances permit, using for this purpose the surgical 

 dressings and antiseptic solution for a wet dressing, if at hand. If 

 these are not available keep the wound as clean as possible until a 

 physician can be had to apply proper dressings. In any case have 

 a physician care for the wounds, for the deadening effect of the 

 poison on the natural defenses of the blood makes the part extremely 

 liable to germ infection, such as blood poisoning. Since the per- 

 manganate can only act against the ])oison with which it comes in 

 direct contact, if is useless after the veiioin has become disseminated 

 in the blood. Hence the ini])<)rtance of immediate action for bene- 

 ficial results. 



Besides the rattlesnakes there are not more than two other poi- 

 sonous species of snakes in Arizona. One of these is known as the 



