384 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
In experiments which I conducted, the results were more 
or less similar to the above. I found that in all cases when 
symptoms of poisoning had started, the local application of 
permanganate was of no use, a fatal dose of venom having 
evidently got into the circulation before the application of the 
permanganate. 
A MAN BITTEN. 
Mr. James Williams, a temporary assistant at the Port 
Elizabeth Museum, captured a full-sized Berg Adder (Bitis 
atropos) and brought it to me. In carelessly handling it the 
snake succeeded in imbedding its fangs in the ball of his fore- 
finger, and gripped with great tenacity and power. He tore it 
away, and in doing so the fangs slit the flesh, leaving a spurt of 
venom along the slit. It was evident a good dose of venom had 
been injected, for the pain was very intense, and the wounds 
began to grow congested almost immediately. Within five 
minutes I had ligatured the wound and injected a solution of 
permanganate of potash into and around the punctures. I then 
scarified the wounds and forced as much blood out as possible, 
and in half an hour’s time I removed the ligature. The arm 
swelled somewhat, the glands under the armpit were tender and 
swollen, and there was slight constitutional disturbance. Within 
two days all symptoms of poisoning had subsided, and the man 
was quite well. 
On another occasion he and I were artificially feeding some 
Puff Adders when one got partly loose and made a drive at his 
hand, imbedding one of its long fangs in the ball of his thumb. 
Within two minutes I scarified the wound and rubbed in per- 
manganate crystals. A ligature was applied, and as much blood 
as possible forced out of the wound by manipulating the thumb. 
’ Williams then sucked the wound for five minutes, and I removed 
the ligature. The symptoms of poisoning which followed were 
slight. 
VARIOUS EXPERIMENTS. 
It is quite unnecessary to mention my various experiments 
in extenso. I found that when permanganate of potash was 
immediately rubbed into free incisions made over the site of 
the injection of snake venom, or the direct bites of venomous 
