ECHis. 389 



lateral spot. Crown of the head with a whitish or yellowish white 

 lozenge, or arrow-like mark, convergent anteriorly ; a brown spot below 

 the eye, and an oblique streak behind, extending to the gape. Belly 

 whitish, with more or less numerous brown specks. 



Length. — 12 to 20 inches. 



Hah. — Extremely common and in great numbers in Sind, the Punjab, 

 N. W. Provinces, Centi-al and Southern India, the Concan, Deccan, 

 and all along the Western Coast to Ceylon, also Beloochistan and 

 Persia. 



This little viper is very venomous. Although the action of its poison 

 is not quite so quick as that of the Cobra, it is equally as potent, and 

 numerous deaths annually occur from its bite. The bite of the young 

 may not be as dangerous, but it occasions great pain and suffering ; 

 bloody sputa, and bleeding from every pore, as well as from the eyes and 

 nostrils, are the chief symptoms. Dr Fayrer records several experiments 

 with it, and in every instance (except one, that of his own snake man, 

 who was only slightly punctured accidentally by one fang, and promptly 

 attended to) the bite proved fatal. The latent virulence of the poison 

 is said to be difficult to eliminate from the system. Instances have 

 occurred in which the symptoms have recurred, such as partial paralysis, 

 vertigo and distressing pain in the heart. Prurient sore and eruptions 

 too are known to occur after cures have been effected. 



The most popular remedy among the Sindees for the treatment of the 

 bite of this viper and snake bites generally is brandy, or any strong 

 spirituous liquor ad Uhltum, keeping the patient in a state of semi-in- 

 toxication ; scarification or burning of the Avound is also resorted to, 

 poultice of the fresh or dried leaves of Arislolochia hracteata applied, 

 and the juice of the leaves administered internally with one part of 

 liquor and a quarter part (nowsagur) carbonate of ammonia, when 

 procurable. 



To the efficacy of brandy I can vouch. A small dog of mine was 

 bitten in the leg in one of the Lawn Tennis Courts adjoining my house 

 at about 7 p. m. Immediatly it was bitten it howled with pain, and was 

 quite paralysed within two minutes of the bite. The servants running 

 out to ascertain the cause of the dog having so piteously howled, saw 

 and killed the snake, which was an adolescent Kupper. The dog was 

 immediately brought in. Two distinct punctures were visible under two 

 small serous exudations; ligatures were applied, and the first one ounce 

 dose of brandy was administered through a tin funnel. The dog was 

 quite paralysed, could not stand, the limbs and the whole body was in a 

 convulsive tremor, and a frothy foam came from its mouth, slightly 

 tinged with blood. Six, one ounce doses of brandy were given at intervals 

 of 20 minutes. At the end of five hours the convulsions and frothing 

 subsided, and the dog lay in a sort of stupor. It was placed in a room 

 by itself, having been given up as hopeless, but to my surprise was per- 

 fectly well the following day, but extremely dull. Two more doses of 

 brandy were administered, ^ oz. each, and the dog now lives, still in 

 my possession. 



