A POPULAR TREATISE ON THE COMMON INDIAN SNAKES. 565 



as possible after the bite; (2) it should be made intravenously; and 

 (3) not less than 100 cc. should be injected. At least ten times 

 this amount would be necessary to protect the bitten subject, if in- 

 jected into the tissues, and there is no comparison to the speed of 

 absorption in this compared to the intravenous method. 



The antivenene now issued is reckoned to retain its virtue for a 

 period of two years at least, after which it should be rejected as of 

 dubious efficacy. 



It will be seen from the figures to which I have access that the 

 percentage of deaths from snake bite cases, all species included, for 

 six years previous to the issue of antivenene was 8- 71, and for eight 

 years since the issue of this antidote, the percentage is 7'oG (vide 

 table appended) : — 



Before issue of Antivenene. 



After issue of Antivenene. 



1902 



1903 



1904* 



1905 



1906 



1907 



1908 



1909 



Total 



* Polyvalent Antivenene issued. 



