332 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
experiments he pronounced it to be of no value. In all cases 
it did not retard a fatal issue in the least. Its effect is nil when 
applied to the bitten parts of animals injected with the venom 
of South African snakes. Even if applied within a minute of 
the injection of venom it fails to exert any curative influence. 
Carbolic acid is largely used in cases of snake bite. If applied 
to the incised wounds immediately after the infliction of the bite 
it helps slightly to prevent the absorption of the venom. Its 
influence, however, is so small that it is, practically speaking, 
valueless. 
The actual burning of the scarified bitten part with a red-hot 
iron, coal, or exploding gunpowder, destroys the venom in the 
wounds, but unless done within five or ten minutes of the in- 
fliction of the bite it is of no value at all. At best it is a dread- 
fully drastic remedy. Dr. Fayrer in experiments with the venom 
of the Indian Cobra found that the poison was so rapid in its 
action that, although he thoroughly cauterized the wounds with 
two white-hot needles plunged into the punctures within a second 
of the infliction of the bite, and although he then quickly burned 
the flesh with a hot iron and ligatured the limb, the animal died. 
I have found the venom of the South African Cobras, notably 
that of the Cape Cobra, to be equally swift and deadly under 
similar circumstances. 
Bluestone is another substance largely used, which is of no 
value at all in the treatment of snake bite. 
STRYCHNINE AND AMMONIA. 
The bases of most proprietary cures for snake bites are 
strychnine and ammonia. Neither of these substances is of 
any value in neutralizing the poisonous properties of snake 
venom. Ammonia is of no use whatsoever when taken in- 
ternally, injected into a vein, or applied to the bite. It does not 
delay death in the slightest. If mixed with venom it does not 
destroy or neutralize its poisonous properties in any way. Ex- 
periments have been carried out which conclusively prove that 
this is so. Asa stimulant it is not to be recommended. 
In cases of Colubrine snake bite (Cobras), strychnine in 
medicinal doses administered internally or by injection under 
the skin might possibly be of some little service as a nerve 
