136 BRITISH SERPENTS. 



a little down the side. There was very great discol- 

 oration. It was about a week before I was able to use 

 my arm, and the elbow remained stiff for a couple of 

 months." 



Treatment of adder-bite. — The treatment to be 

 of much avail in a severe case must be prompt and 

 heroic. It may be divided into two — namely, that 

 at the moment of the accident; and the after-treat- 

 ment. These may be summed up as follows : — 



A. Immediate treatment. — 1. A free incision into 



the flesh at the point of the fang-punctures.^ 



2. Sucking the wound, provided that tliere are no 



sores on the lips or in the mouth. 



3. Applying a tight ligature above the part where 



possible (to prevent the absorption of the 

 venom into the system). 



4. The^ internal administration of large quantities 



of stimulants (brandy, whisky, or ammonia). 

 The first three of these, to be of any use, must be 

 carried out immediately. 



B. After-treatment. — 1. Continued administration of 



stimulants. 



2. Hot fomentations to the swollen limb. 



3. Opening of any abscesses that form. 



4. Heart and other tonics, according to the course 



the case runs, at the discretion of the medical 

 attendant. 



^ Permanganate of potash has recently been advocated, rubbed 

 into the incised wound. 



