420 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
injection of anti-venene direct into veins in preference to dis- 
charging it under the skin (subcutaneously), (2) that anti-venene 
may be injected under the skin when no symptoms of poisoning 
are apparent, and (3) then to inject a dose into a vein if such 
symptoms should develop, where cases have been already treated 
with permanganate and ligatures, for usually here not much 
venom would have gained entry into the circulation. — For, 
while most of it was being temporarily pent up in the ligatured 
limb, the anti-venene would have a better chance of getting 
into the blood-stream to meet the venom. 
There are many people either clumsy or nervous who could 
not be trusted to inject anti-venene with safety direct into a 
vein. Such people would be wiser not to attempt it. For the 
great majority of cases the injection of the serum under the skin 
would effect a cure. : 
In conclusion, remember that anti-venene injected direct into 
a vein has usually some twenty more times the venom-destroying 
power than if injected in the ordinary way under the skin. In 
fact, it is almost as strong as when mixed with the venom and 
injected, as mentioned in my experiments. It was seen that in 
this way 25 c.c. of anti-venene was able to neutralize something 
like five and a half drops of Puff Adder venom. 
Another important thing to bear in mind is, that if poisonous 
symptoms have set in before the injection of anti-venene, twice 
as much, and even more, will be necessary to prevent the 
mixing of the venom with the nerve cells and blood, and save 
the life of the patient. So, if a person is competent to inject 
anti-venene direct into a vein, do so in these serious cases. If 
not, then practise on the lines already suggested, until confidence 
- 1s gained. 
Rest assured that if a person carries permanganate about 
with him and scarifies the site of the bite and ligatures the limb 
in the way directed, and if 25 c.c. of anti-venene is injected 
within a reasonable time, complete recovery will be well-nigh an 
absolute certainty. 
Accept one final warning; do not trust to any of the 
popular so-called cures. If in spite of what has been written 
here you still have firm faith in some favourite root, herb, or 
tincture, then by all means apply it if you so desire, but please 
do not trust to it to effect a cure. 
