552 • SNAKES. 



counterfoils. * A septic of astounding virulence/ Weir Mitchel 

 has proved crotahis venom to be ; and the scientific experi- 

 mentalists on the Oriental thanatophidia confirm his words as 

 regard the najas and vipers of their own regions. A subtle, 

 malignant, mysterious fluid, to which all animal life suc- 

 cumbs. Even vegetables are affected by it, as Mitchel 

 proved. Inoculated with it, they looked dead next day 

 as if scathed by lightning. So those old writers on Virginian 

 serpents might not have been so far wrong after all, so far 

 as the injurious effect of venom on a young tree ; only they 

 made a slight mistake in supposing that the 'thorny tail' 

 inflicted the mischief (p. 174). 



It is not within the compass of this work to attempt to 

 describe in detail the many remedies which from time to 

 time have enjoyed a short-lived popularity ; such as 'snake 

 stones,' the 'Tangore pill,' and other preparations. Con- 

 ventions have within the last twenty years been held in 

 India, in Australia, in America, and London ; and Com- 

 missioners from among our most distinguished M.D.'s 

 have been appointed to investigate all the reputed ' anti- 

 dotes ' and popular remedies that could be got together. 

 The names of Dr. Ewart, Dr. Lauder Bruton, and Dr. 

 Vincent Richards of the Indian Medical Department, as 

 associated with artificial respiration, must be familiar to 

 many. Dr. Shortt, of Madras, claims originality in the use 

 of potash, liq. potassce, which both by the mouth and by 

 injection has been attended with success. He has recorded 

 several cures by liq. pot., ' not as miraculous, but as rational' 

 He affirms that it has the property of neutralizing the 

 venom, and that brandy expedites it by carrying it rapidly 



