120 SPOLIA ZEYLANICA. 



The serum obtained in this way possesses a curative power 

 against the venom of the same kind of snake which served to inject 

 the horse. 



But the Viperidse and the Colubridse having venoms whose 

 physiological actions dififer, the serum must, to be efficient in all 

 cases, be obtained from a horse which has received injections of both 

 kinds of venoms. This is why Calmette has obtained a polyvalent 

 serum which is at the same time antineurotoxic (Colubridse) and 

 anti-hemorragic (Viperidse). 



An anti-ophidian serum is specific only against the kind of snake 

 which supplied the venom for inoculation, and these kinds vary 

 obviously according to the country. For this reason curative 

 serums are now prepared in different countries against the local 

 species. Thus in India, at the Central Research Institute of 

 Kasauli, a polyvalent serum is obtained by inoculation of a mixture 

 of cobra and Russell's viper venom. At Sao-Paulo (Brazil) three 

 sorts of serum are prepared : two are specific (anti-crotalian and 

 anti-bothropian) ; the third variety is polyvalent. 



The description of the proceedings used in the various institutes 

 of anti-venomous serotherapy would extend beyond the limits of 

 this rapid and general review. I will consequently not discuss this 

 question, nor describe the manner of collecting the serum and of 

 computing its anti-toxic powers. 



What to do in a case of Snake-bite. 



(1) The first thing to do is to stop as quickly as possible the 

 return circulation in the wounded limb, by establishing at its base 

 a very tight ligature (with the help of braces, or a handkerchief, or 

 a string, if nothing more suitable is at hand). 



(2) Press out the greatest part of the venom, either by applying 

 cuppmg-glasses on an incision as deep as that of the poison fangs, 

 or by simply sucking the wound in urgent cases. This latter 

 operation is dangerous for the operator, if the latter suffers from 

 buccal ulcerations, but in any case immediately after each suction 

 it is necessary to rinse out one's mouth with water as soon as the 

 exhausted liquid has been ejected from the mouth. 



(3) Neutralize the venom in the wound. Several proceedings 

 have been recommended, but the following have given the best 

 results : — 



(a) Solution of 1/50 or 1/100 of permanganate of potash, or 

 packing the wound with crystals of permanganate. When 

 the solution of permanganate is employed the liquid must 

 be syringed into the tissues surrounding the bite ; a 

 dressing soaked in the same solution is then apphed on the 

 latter. This dressing has to be renewed every hour. 



