THE TREATMENT OF SNAKE BITE. 401 
Africa every country resident should have some permanganate 
and a penknife upon his person. Then, if he or any of his 
native labourers, or stock should get bitten by a snake, curative 
measures can be promptly taken. Brunton’s First Aid instru- 
ment is usually carried. This, however, is not a satisfactory 
instrument for the reason that with the lancet the punctures 
cannot be deeply and freely scarified without using undue force, 
which is likely to snap the lancet or make unsatisfactory cuts. 
Secondly, the permanganate is apt to be spilled and lost at the 
critical moment by unscrewing the wrong end in error, or 
bungling when removing the capsule. For bites by long-fanged 
snakes, the lancet is of small practical value. To meet the 
need, I have patented an instrument which has a sharp folding 
blade with a receptacle in the handle for the permanganate. 
This instrument, being of the nature of a small ordinary penknife, 
can be carried in the waistcoat pocket and can be utilized as a 
ACTUAL SIZE 
Fic. 146.—Brunton’s “ First Aid ”’ instrument. 
penknife, with the additional advantage of having the perman- 
ganate included in case of emergency. This instrument is 
supplied with ‘“FitzSimons’ Outfit’? already referred to, or 
separately if desired. 
We will presume that you have been bitten upon the leg a 
few inches above the ankle. Without one instant’s delay, make 
three or four cuts about a quarter of an inch deep, and half 
to three-quarters of an inch long, over each fang puncture. 
There can be no difficulty in finding it, for there will be consider- 
able smarting, and the punctures will be slightly discoloured. 
If the bite be actually on the muscles, then cross cuts should be 
made in addition to the others, as no harm can very well be 
done. When, however, the bite is upon the back of the hand, 
wrist, or front surface of the foot, cross cuts should never be 
made, or you will probably sever one or more sinews and 
cripple the hand or foot permanently. 
Open the incisions with your fingers and fill the wounds 
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