108 REMARKS on THE 
TLE-SNAKE: remedies were immediately applied; butto no 
purpofe, for the unhappy fufferer expired ina few minutes.’ 
This very fudden operation of the poifon will not excite 
much wonder, when we confider the proximity of the 
wound in this cafe to the fource of circulation. For al- 
though experiments are wanted to demonftrate the preci/e 
action of the poifon of the RATTLE-SNAKE on the human 
and other animal fyftems, we are already in pofleffion of 
fa&ts which warrant us to conclude, that it exerts its prin- 
cipal effects on the fanguiferous fyftem, and, as I believe, 
immediately on the blood itfelf. In what manner it affects 
this important fluid I am unable to decide with certainty.’ 
That it induces a preternatural tenuity of it cannot, I 
think, be doubted. 
~ But whatever may be the particular operation of the 
poifon of which I am fpeaking, we are certain that the 
introduction of the {malleft portion of it into a: blood- 
veflel is generally attended with the moft ferious confe- 
quenees. Mr. Catefby fays that, “ where a Rattle-Snake 
“* with full force penetrates with his deadly fangs, and 
« pricks a vein or artery, inevitable death enfues; and 
“ that, as I have often feen, in lefs than two minutes. 
¢¢ The Indians,” he continues, *“* know theirdeftiny the 
** minute they are bit; and, when they perceive it mortal, 
«¢ apply no remedy, concluding all efforts in vain*.” Mr. 
Catefby is frequently very accurate in relating facts, and 
in making obfervations, What he has here faid refpec- 
ting the fatal confequences of the zmmediate introduCtion 
of the poifon into the blood-veflels perfectly correfponds 
with the information which I have received frém a variety 
of fources. Iam unwilling, however, to believe that, in 
every cafe, fuch an introduction is neceffarily mortal. I 
eannot but fuppofe that al the many cafes of the bites of 
the 
* The Natural Hiftory of biked, &c, vel. a, p. 4F- 
