The Viperine Snakes 



thirds of the length, and such blows are wild, and delivered aim- 

 lessly. No poisonous snake springs bodily at the object oj its 

 anger; such a feat with a serpent is physically impossible. The 

 defensive methods of the numerous North American species will 

 be discussed in the respective descriptions of the species. 



In this work, it would be inappropriate to tarry and discuss 

 at length the investigations concerning the composition of snake 

 poison. It is important, however, to consider the best known 

 remedies for snake-bite, and thus suggest what actions should 

 be taken in case of accident. 



Remedies for Snake-bite. — Against the action of the subtle 

 fluid mankind has battled in the search for an "antidote," and 

 many are the alleged cures for "snake-bite," though few are the 

 actually useful chemicals known in case of catastrophe with human 

 kind. The administration of large doses of whiskey is not only 

 useless but exceedingly harmful. In small doses, whiskey is a 

 valuable stimulant and combats the paralysing action of the 

 venom. In large doses it stimulates but briefly, and then be- 

 numbs the faculties, reducing the system to a condition most 

 susceptible to the action of the poison. It is a bold assertion, 

 but nevertheless true, that the majority of so-called cures by 

 the whiskey method have been but "recoveries," by frightened 

 individuals, from the bites of harmless snakes. The writer re- 

 members an interesting instance in South Carolina, when a 

 powerful Negro was bitten on the thumb by a copper-bellied 

 "moccasin" (the harmless, red-bellied water snake), which 

 is reputed to be a rival in deadliness of the dreaded "cotton- 

 mouth." The man had started to kill the snake and becoming 

 bold attempted to pick the reptile up by the tail and "snap its 

 head off." The snake yet possessed sufficient life to turn and 

 grasp his finger. The result was several punctures from the needle- 

 like teeth. In a hysterical condition the Negro was led to the 

 village, where his feelings were somewhat relieved by the assur- 

 ances of the wise ones that they had heard of cases where the 

 bite of that same species of snake had been cured by the adminis- 

 tration of large quantities of whiskey. The Negro drank enough 

 liquor to intoxicate half a dozen men, but was so excited that 

 his head remained clear and he continually re-told the snake's 

 fiendish attack upon his life. Later in the day he became drowsy 

 and after prolonged slumber awoke to explain that his life had 



406 



