The Viperine Snakes 



been saved. The news travelled rapidly and the value of whiskey 

 for snake-bite was much exploited in the district. 



It is of interest to review, from a simple and practical stand- 

 point, the best treatment in case of accident. First, of impor- 

 tance, is to shut off the flow of blood from the vicinity of the 

 wound, and prevent the venom attaining access to the general 

 system. If the wound be upon the arm or leg, as it almost in- 

 variably is, this is quickly effected by the application of a ligature; 

 a rubber ligature is the most convenient, and best in result. 

 With the flow of blood shut off the next step is to enlarge the 

 punctures made by the fangs in an endeavour to drain away the 

 surrounding, poisoned blood. This treatment is of course 

 heroic, but should be performed thoroughly and without hesita- 

 tion. A very sharp knife or a razor should be used. Incisions 

 slightly deeper than those made by the fangs should be made 

 directly across the primary wound and about an inch in length. 

 If the bite is from a very large snake the incisions should be 

 larger. The flow of blood from these drainage cuts should be 

 hastened by suction from the mouth, after which the wounds 

 should be thoroughly washed out with a solution of permanganate 

 of potash (enough of the crystals in water to produce a deep 

 wine colour). While these precautions are being taken, send 

 for a good surgeon. In many instances of snake-bite, surgical 

 attendance is not within calling distance. If such be the situa- 

 tion, several things must be done, and carefully. 



The ligature should be removed, but not until the drainage 

 cuts have been thoroughly bled and washed to their depths with 

 the solution of permanganate of potash, the action of which 

 oxidizes and thus destroys what poison with which it comes in 

 contact. With the ligature removed small doses of whiskey 

 should be taken, to stimulate; alarming symptoms — fainting 

 spells — should be met with hypodermic doses of strychnine, which 

 is a powerful stimulant. The wounds themselves should be 

 carefully covered with wet, antiseptic dressing, small strips of 

 which should be packed into the drainage incisions to keep them 

 open and induce further drainage of poisoned blood. 



The important fact should be understood that an arm or leg 

 bitten by a poisonous snake is very susceptible to common blood- 

 poisoning (sepiiccemia) , owing to the deadening effect which the 

 venom produces upon the organisms in the blood that combat germ 



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