22 JNTR on UCTION. 



and the various remedies, though, reluctant to intrude within 

 the arena of professional science, a sort of summing up of 

 evidence was all that I attempted. Having been thus 

 required to glean some crude ideas from technical writings 

 (which necessitated glossaries and dictionaries to be ever at 

 hand), I again add a chapter on the * Venoms' to my 

 present work. Left entirely to my own independent con- 

 clusions, if I have ventured to think in opposition to some 

 popular writers, and have even presumed to offer some 

 suggestions of my own, I trust I may be treated with 

 clemency. 



With regard to the terrible death-rate from snake-bite in 

 India, it does, however, appear to me that journalists who 

 hold up their hands in horror, and write strong articles on 

 this subject, lose sight of the religious and social condition 

 of the low-caste Hindus, who are the chief sufferers, and 

 whose superstition is so fatal to them. S7iake-worship is 

 the root of the evil ! Edtication must lower the death-rate. 

 During the visit of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales to India, 

 the entire programme was on one occasion interrupted 

 because some Hindu children, to whom a feast was to be 

 given, could not eat in the presence of Christians, whose 

 'shadow would have polluted their food,' or some 

 obstacle of this nature. Similar difficulties arise when 

 they are snake-bitten ; their creed prohibits their having 

 recourse to approved remedies. 'Snake-charmers' and 

 native quacks are sent for instead, and often when cures 

 are possible the fatalists submit to death. 



To Professor Owen, who six years ago permitted me the 

 honour of dedicating this contemplated work to him, and to 



