PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH. 397 
into a person and it happened that the snake which bit him was 
a harmless one. It does no harm at all. 
Many also imagine that so large a quantity of serum as a dose 
of 25 c.c., viz. ounce, cannot possibly get absorbed into the blood 
from under the.skin. On the contrary, large quantities of fluids 
are capable of absorption into the blood in this way. In serious 
cases of poisoning by acids when the stomach is so severely 
burned as to make it impossible for the patient to swallow, 
water is injected under the skin. Instances are on record in 
medical literature of as much as four pints of water being 
absorbed in this way in a day. 
PENNY WISE AND PouUND FOooOLIsH. 
I would strongly advise that in all vases of snake bite when 
even slight poisonous symptoms have manifested, that at least 
two doses of anti-venene serum of I0 c.c. each or one dose of 
25 ¢.c. be injected in several places under the skin of the arms 
and legs, or better still direct into a vein. It is always pre- 
ferable to err on the right side. An extra dose or two will 
frequently turn the scale from otherwise certain death to life 
and health. 
The lack of intelligence of some people is really surprising: 
Rather than expend a few shillings on a reliable remedy for 
snake bite, they trust to the most absurd methods of treatment, 
or pin their faith to some worthless popular proprietary “ cure,” 
or a mysterious Kafir mixture. Others are content to stock a 
single dose of serum, trusting to luck that it will effect a cure. 
Some foolishly rely entirely upon the local application of per- 
manganate of potash and ligatures. 
20 or 25 c.c., at least, of anti-venene and a serum syringe 
should be in the home of every country resident, and others 
whose occupations take them where there is risk of being bitten 
by a venomous snake. In fact, all who can afford it should have 
as much again handy, and when a case of snake bite occurs, 
inject a dose, direct into a vein for preference, and then carefully 
watch the effects. If the patient seems to be growing worse, 
inject the second dose, then if it be possible for him to recover, 
he will soon begin to rally. 
