CHAPTER XV. 
TREATMENT OF POISONOUS SNAKE-BITES IN MAN 
AND ANIMALS. 
OBJECTS OF THE TREATMENT : TECHNIQUE OF 
ANTIVENOMOUS SERUM-THERA PY. 
IN all countries the remedies recommended for the bites of 
poisonous snakes are innumerable, and native pharmacopæias 
abound in so-called infallible recipes. 
Pliny himself wrote on this subject as follows :— 
“ For poisonous bites, it is customary to employ a liniment made 
of fresh sheep-droppings, cooked in wine. Rats cut in two are 
also applied ; these animals possess important properties, especially 
at the epoch of the ascension of the stars, seeing that the number 
of a rat’s fibres wax and wane with the moon. 
“Of all birds, those that afford most assistance against snakes 
are vultures. The black ones are the weaker. The odour of their 
feathers when burnt puts snakes to flight. Provided with a 
vulture’s heart one need not fear encounters with snakes, and can 
also defy the wrath of wild beasts, robbers, and princes. 
‘“‘Cock’s flesh, applied while still warm, neutralises the venom 
of snakes. The brains of the bird, swallowed in wine, produce the 
same effect. The Parthians, for this purpose, make use of chicken’s 
brains. The fresh flesh of the pigeon and the swallow, and owls’ 
feet burned, are good against snake-bites. 
“Tf one has been bitten by a snake or by any venomous animal, 
another method of cure is to take salt fish and wine from time 
to time, so as to vomit in the evening. This remedy is chiefly 
