-2 PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS SECTION C. 



considerable number of species in other countries would be equally 

 venomous. 



There are two distinct groups of the front-fanged snakes, 

 viz.. the adders (Viperidae) and the cobras (Clapinae). These 

 snakes all possess a highly virulent poison, secreted by glands 

 which are connected with the hollow or grooved fangs by ducts 

 or channels, through which the venom flows when the glands arc 

 constricted by the masseter muscles. The primary action of 

 adder or viper poison is on the blood and the endothelial cells 

 which line the capillary blood vessel walls, causing haemorrhage 

 irtothe tissues more or less extensive, according to the quantity 

 of venom injected. Although possessing nerve-poisoning proper- 

 ties, the chief principle of adder venom is a hsemorrhagin or 

 blood poison. 



It takes a larger quantity of adder venom to cause death than 

 i". the case with the venom of the cobra. The venom of the 

 cobra is a neurotoxin or nerve poison. It poisons the nerve cen- 

 tres controlling the lungs, causing them to collapse. At the same 

 time it paralyzes the inhibitory nerve which regulates the pump- 

 ing of the heart, and results in a wild and rapid beating of that 

 organ. A singular fact in regard to cobra poisoning is that for 

 fifteen minutes, and even more, after the lungs have collapsed 

 and the victim has ceased to breathe, fTie heart is still beating. 



There are a score or more favourite so-called antidotes for 

 snake venom poisoning, in South Africa. Some of these are 

 proprietary, and others are native remedies. ■* I have been engaged 

 off and on for many years past in experimenting with these alleged 

 antidotes, which the population of this country, both black and 

 white, believe to be sure cures. One of these alleged antidotes 

 i> a substance known as Sebiba or Zibiba, which is considered to 

 he an infallible antidote for snake bite by two-thirds, at least, of 

 the native population of South Africa, and by thousands of 

 farmers, who sew it to their braces in order to have it readily 

 available in an emergency. This substance has a remarkable 

 reputation, and it is looked upon as an insult if it is suggested 

 to those who believe in its virtues that it is quite worthless. I 

 procured fresh samples of Sebiba from various parts of South 

 Africa, and conducted a long series of experiments under test 

 conditions with it. but found it to be of absolutely no antidotal 

 value in the treatment of poisoning by snake venom. 



It is impossible, in this short address, to go into details in 

 regard to all my experiments and findings with alleged snake 

 venom remedies, and the nature and effects of snake venom, hut 

 those who are interested in the subject may read the results of 10 

 years' experiences and experiments in the revised and enlarged 

 second edition of the work entitled " The Snakes of South Africa, 

 their venom and the treatment of snake bite." This book con- 

 tains upwards of three hundred illustrations, the great majority 

 of which are original. The volume will be issvied in August, 



IQI2. 



