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and the heart to keep the poison from being carried to the heart 

 in the circulatory system. This can often be done by tearing some 

 article of clothing into strips, tying it tightly around the bitten 

 member between the bite and the heart, and twisting it as tightly as 

 possible with a stick put through the band of ligature. The next 

 step is to suck or squeeze out all the poison possible. This is greatly 

 aided by opening the wound with a knife or other sharp instrument. 

 The third step is to rub permanganate of potash into the wound. 

 This is the best possible remedy for snake bites, and in places 

 where venomous snakes are found permanganate of potash should 

 be at hand ready for immediate use by any one who is exposing 

 himself to their attacks. It is well for persons on fishing or berrying 

 expeditions, or on outings, to carry with them some of this ma- 

 terial, which is very inexpensive, and is easily carried wrapped in 

 paper. No evil effects to the human system will come from using 

 too much of it, and thus it is perfectly safe in the hands of an 

 unskilled person. The fourth and last step in the treatment of 

 snake bites it to give a good heart stimulant, the best of which is the 

 injection of one-twentieth of a grain of strychnia. Most cases of 

 death or serious results from snake bites are due to the eti'ects of 

 the poison on the heart, and this is why whisky is so often regarded 

 as a sovereign remedy. It is entirely wrong for a person who is 

 bitten by a venomous snake to fill himself with whisky and expect 

 this to be the only remedy necessary.- In most cases it may be a 

 decided help, but it should be a last resort rather than a first. 

 Wherever it is possible the services of a physician should be secured, 

 although the treatment mentioned above should be given as far as 

 possible as soon as the poison has been injected. It is useless to 

 depend upon some of the reputed remedies, such as the gall of the 

 snake taken internally, or a second bite by the same snake at the 

 same place, or powwows of any kind. Prompt action and common 

 sense will do more to prevent evil effects from snake bites than 

 anything else. 



We wish here to call attention to the idiotic practice of some per- 

 sons who try to be smart by frightening others with snnkes, 

 whether they be dead or alive, harmless or otherwise. Severe pun- 

 ishment should be administered to the boy who attempts to frighten 

 others, especially girls, with snakes however small or harmless 

 they may be. While the fear of snakes is generally based on igno- 

 rance, we should respect the feelings of others and remember that 

 serious results may come from being thus frightened. One example 

 should be enough to put an end to this practice forever. Some 

 years ago some school cliildi-cn were playing in a scliool yard near 

 the centre of this State and the bovs found a small snake. There 



