210 OPHIDIANS. 
Neira, who is said to cure cases of cataract in from three to 
thirty days. 
Method of Administration. 
For all ordinary cases of bites, five or ten drops of pre- 
pared gall (selecting if possible that of the kind causing the 
bite) in half a tumblerful of water, well mixed, to administer 
a tablespoonful of the mixture every five, ten, fifteen, or twenty 
minutes, according to the violence of the symptoms, and vary- 
ing the dose from three to ten drops of the gall, according to 
the age, sex, condition, and susceptibility of the patient, will 
afford entire relief. 
In fifty cases treated, I have given ten-drop doses of gall 
in four ounces of water in two cases only ; all the others have 
been cured by five-drop doses, continuing the remedy at more 
prolonged intervals as the symptoms of the action -of the 
poison disappear ; and in the two cases cited, where a five-drop 
dose was given in tablespoonfuls every five minutes without 
producing relief, the dose was immediately repeated, and en- 
tire relief ultimately ensued. 
I invariably make a deep cruciform incision in the wound 
with a lancet, and bathe the limb in water as hot as can be 
borne, into which I pour a few drops of prepared gall. 
When the blood flows a bright red (and not before) a small 
pellet of cotton or sponge, saturated with the gall (prepared), 
applied to the wound and secured with a bandage, will stop 
the flow of blood, unless a large vein or artery is punctured 
by the fang; in this case cauterization is necessary. 
THE POISONS AS REMEDIAL AGENTS. 
Dr. Mitchell concludes his remarks upon the action of the 
venom on the tissues and fluids with the following remarkable 
sentences : 
