lo March, 1909.] Diseases of Farm Annuals. 159 



coat of cattle and horses ami the wooUv covering of sheep, together with 

 the thickness of the skin, is likely to have a mechanical effect in preventing 

 ■effective biting. 



The most commonh- met with venomous snakes in Australia, in the 

 order of their venom-virulence, are: — The black snake {Pseudechys for- 

 phyriacus), the brown snake {Diemoiia superciliosa), the tiger snake 

 {Hophlocepliahis ciirtiis), and the copperhead snake {D em soma superba). 

 The death adder {AcanthopJiis antarctica) is also particularly venomous. 

 The diamond and carpet snake {Python spilotes) is non-venomous. 



Course and Symptoms. — Little opportunity is usually afforded for 

 studving the course and varying symptoms following on snake-bite or for 

 observing post-mortem the changes produced. The indisposition of 

 animals at grass is seldom noticed and in snake-bite death usually occurs 

 before suspicion has been aro^used. If the course is not too rapid, a local 

 swelling develops at the seat of the bite and this mav be observed on the 

 ■carcase until it becomes obliterated by putrefactive distension. According 

 to the \arietv of snake the venom produces symptoms of delirium or of 

 unconsciousness. They are preceded by shivering fits, trembling, a stag- 

 gering or reeling gait, profuse perspiration, hurried breathing, staring eyes 

 and anxious expression of countenance. These symptoms present them- 

 selves within half an hour or an hour from the time of the bite and in fatal 

 cases they graduallv intensify until a condition of profound torpor and 

 unconsciousness is reached in from three to thirty hours during which the 

 animal dies. 



A peculiar effect of the artificial injection of snake venom was observed 

 during the carr\ ing out of experiments at the INIelbourne Veterinary College 

 in 1896 concerning the immunization of horses against snake-bite. A 

 maiden mare was one of the subjects and she was injected repeatedly 

 with graduallv increasing doses of snake venom. In addition to the ordi- 

 nary svmptoms after each injection the udder became congested and milk 

 was produced in such quantity that it spurted from the teats. The swell- 

 ing and formation of milk ceased on the subsidence of the other symptoms 

 and the udder remained normal until a succeeding injection. The pheno- 

 menon was repeated on six or seven different occasions. 



Treatment. — On account of the dose of venom received being usually 

 proportionately less than in the case of man, the treatment of snake-bite 

 in horses and cattle is more likely to be successful. Promptness in the 

 application of remedial measures is a prime necessity. If the bite is on 

 a limb a narrow bandage or tourniquet should be applied above the seat 

 of the bite. It should be drawn sufficiently tight as to practically stop 

 the circulation or, at all events, the flow of blood in the veins towards the 

 heart. The bandaging will be more effective if a pad of cork or rubber 

 is adjusted over the course of the main veins of the part in such a manner 

 as to cause pressure on them and so stop the flow of blood. 



If the seat of the bite can be located, excision of the part with a sharp 

 knife or scalpel should be promptlv effected, and the raw wound rubbed 

 with crystals of permanganate of potash (Condy's crystals). 



The general treatment should comprise the giving of stimulants, which 

 act as physiological antidotes and antagonize the depressing effect which 

 the venom produces on the central nervous system. Sulphate of strychnine 

 (in half-grain doses dissolved in boiled water) injected subcutaneously with 

 a hypodermic syringe is the l>est stimulant for the purpose. Strychnine 

 liowever is not alwavs on hand and its administration presents difficulties. 



