432 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
ceases, the better chance there is of a recovery. The advantage 
of the above method over others is that there is no necessity to 
pull out and secure the tongue to prevent it blocking the entrance 
to the windpipe. When the patient lies on his abdomen and 
chest, and the head slightly turned aside, the tongue naturally 
falls forward, and any froth, mucous, or water will run out of 
the mouth or nose without in any way obstructing the air 
passages. 
The second method is as follows. It is, however, not so 
practical and simple as the first. 
Place the patient flat upon his back, put a pillow under his 
shoulder-blades, let his head hang slightly back, pull his tongue 
forward and fasten it, kneel over him, as shown in the illustration, 
seize his elbows in your hands, and with a quick movement bring 
his arms over his head, as far as they will go, so as to expand the 
chest to the uttermost, pause an instant, then bring them forward 
and press gently but strongly against his ribs to expel the air 
in his lungs. Keep on doing this without pausing. The quicker 
you start the process after natural breathing ceases the 
better. 
The instant the patient starts to breathe of his own accord, 
cease your manipulations and massage his legs and body vigor- 
ously. As soon as he is able to swallow, give a little very strong 
freshly brewed tea, or a few sips of hot brandy and water. If 
you should notice the breathing beginning to cease, or if it should 
suddenly stop, then at once resume the artificial breathing 
operations. These efforts should be kept up for an hour at 
least, or until a medical man pronounces life to be extinct. 
Hope OF RECOVERY FOR THE APPARENTLY DEAD. 
The venoms of all species of snakes exert a poisonous, para- 
lyzing influence upon the nerve centres in the brain, and nervous 
system generally, differing more or less in their pathological 
effects according to the species. 
However, although the venoms of the different species of 
snakes vary more or less in their effects, yet they, one and all, 
act as powerful nerve poisons. It has been urged by some 
