490 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 
exception of mortification of the finger which I subsequently 
amputated. There had been no ligature placed around the 
finger, so the mortification was not due to strangulation. The 
finger, on admission, was soaked in strong carbolic solution, 
and subsequently in strong permanganate of potash. There was 
evidence that the snake was a Ringhals, and as the man was so 
near death when admitted, I presume the remedy was successful.” 
The Normal Saline Solution injected by Dr. Wright is made 
as follows: 78°75 grs. sodium chloride (common salt) dissolved 
in 20 ozs. of sterilized water. 
D. 
A BooMSLANG BITE. 
Mr. G. W. Pretorius was one day walking among some prickly 
pear bushes at Uitenhage, when he disturbed a Brown Boom- 
slang in the grass. It struck out at him and gripped the calf 
of his leg. He endeavoured to kick it off, but failed. Stooping 
down he seized it by the body, plucked its head away and threw 
it from him. Although he had ordinary trousers on, the fangs 
penetrated them and made two punctures in his skin. He 
improvised a ligature and applied it. Dr. McPherson, the 
District Railway doctor, was soon in attendance. He scarified 
the wound freely and otherwise treated him. Some hours after 
the infliction of the bite, Pretorius fainted away, and remained 
insensible for some time. 
The ligature was kept on for some days, being slightly loosened 
at short intervals. The bitten limb swelled considerably, and 
extensive hemorrhage occurred in it. Blood slowly oozed 
from all the mucous surfaces, particularly the nose and mouth. 
For a month Pretorius lay in bed in a critical condition. For 
the first week his stomach rejected all food. For some days 
water was vomited when swallowed. 
For ten days and more, he suffered severely from pains in 
the bowels. In fact, his symptoms were similar to those described 
in the case of James Williams, except that the hemorrhage was 
chiefly confined to the leg which was bitten; also the mucous 
membranes. This was doubtless due to the ligature which pre- 
vented the venom passing into the general circulation in sufficient 
strength to cause subcutaneous hemorrhage in other parts, as 
