394 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
COLLAPSE THROUGH FEAR. 
A case came under my observation of a native woman who 
was bitten on the calf of the leg by a large Mole Snake (Pseu- 
daspis cana) which she took to be a Cobra. Now, in spite of 
the fact of the Mole Snake being quite harmless, the woman 
rapidly collapsed, and much alarm was expressed at her con- 
dition. I was called and found her in a condition of nervous 
collapse, the circulation sluggish, pulse feeble and heart’s action 
dangerously slow. Her skin felt cold and clammy, and she 
shivered. Glancing at the snake which had bitten her, and 
which her friends had subsequently killed, I realized at once 
it was a case of shock due to fear. Mixing a little permanganate 
with water, I made her drink it, and told her it would positively 
cure her within a few minutes. I repeated the suggestion 
several times that she was “ getting better, much better.”’ In 
ten minutes’ time she was on her feet, declaring she was quite 
cured, and marvelling at the magical powers of the “ antidote ”’ I 
had given her. Next day I found myself to be an “ Inkos 
m’kulu ”’ (Big Chief) amongst her tribe. 
Another case occurred of a European woman who was bitten 
on the hand by a slightly veriomous snake, and it was doubtful 
if the little grooved back teeth had even scratched the skin, 
However, she showed alarming symptoms of nervous collapse, 
and was dosed by her friends with brandy till she was senseless. 
She fortunately recovered from the alcoholic poisoning after 
two weeks of severe gastric inflammation, due to the action of 
the strong spirit on the delicate mucous lining of her stomach. 
Wuy PEOPLE RECOVER. 
During the hottest season of the year the venom of snakes 
reaches its highest degree of virulence, waning in toxic power 
and quantity as the chilly weather approaches. 
Full-grown snakes are naturally more likely to inflict a fatal 
bite than young specimens. The venom of snakes in good 
vigorous health is far more poisonous and abundant than of 
those in poor condition. The venoms of different species of 
snakes vary considerably in toxic power, a full and complete 
bite of some species would rarely cause death in a healthy man, 
whilst such a bite given by a Cobra, Ringhals, Mamba, or Puff 
