472 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
Snakes are living barometers. They grow active, lively and strong 
when the air is warm and the sun shining. In the degree that the air 
grows cold, they, in that degree, become sluggish. 
A snake may be quite stiff, and to all outward appearances dead, but 
on being warmed it will revive. 
The suspension of the vital forces in reptiles during the cold season 
can be compared to that which vegetation undergoes in winter. 
When snakes hibernate, they live upon the fat they have accumulated 
during the summer. This fat accumulates in the abdomen in little cakes, 
connected with tissue. 
Python fat is in great request among South African natives as a 
lubricant for rheumatism and pulmonary complaints, 
A Python has about 300 sections to its backbone, and 150 pairs of ribs. 
It is not true that Cobras suck cows and goats. They are found in 
cattle and sheep kraals, drawn thither in search of rats, and the warmth 
given off by the animals. 
A young snake will live four months, sometimes longer, without food. 
Most of them, however, die within two months after birth, if not fed. 
Snakes have strong prehensile or gripping power in their tails. In 
the Pythons and Tree Snakes it is highly developed. 
There is a widespread belief in South Africa that a snake, known as 
the Hoop Snake, swallows its tail and bowls itself along like a hoop. This 
is not a fact. 
Permanganate of potash is of little or no use unless applied within ten 
minutes of being bitten. 
Permanganate of Potash has no antidotal effect if swallowed. 
Don’t keep a ligature on for more than half an hour toanhour. If you 
do, there is grave danger of mortification. 
The only absolute antidote for snake bite is a serum which is now being 
prepared. If you want the genuine stuff, write to the author, who will have 
it procured for you. 
The active principle of practically all the so-called antidotes, except 
the serum and permanganate of potash, is strychnine and ammonia. 
These are nerve and heart stimulants only. They do not possess any 
antidotal power. Some of these so-called antidotes have certain herb 
extracts in them. All, which I have tested, have been quite worthless. 
Don’t waste your money on these, and risk loss of life. 
Provide yourself with the proper serum, permanganate, lancet and 
serum syringe, and you are safe. 
The Bushmen of old in South Africa used snake poison largely in the 
poisoning of their arrow-heads. 
They first enraged the snake, for in doing so the glands got full, and 
the venom was more virulent. 
To prevent the snake wasting his venom, they held it down by pressing 
its head against the ground and preventing it opening its mouth. 
Cobra venom acts rapidly on the nerve-centres, causing paralysis and 
rapid death. 
