260 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN JNSTITUTE. 



Snake bites cannot well be tested in Canada except foreign poisonous 

 snakes be procured for this purpose. But trivial dependence can l)e 

 placed on experiments on dogs and othei' animals. We need positive 

 ti-ials on the human subject and nobody will voluntarily undergo 

 such a test. 



But it would be an easy matter for the executive authorities to 

 sanction such an ordeal, and have it carried to completion on tlie 

 human body without annoying the feelings of the most sympathetic. 

 Are there not very many persons yearly condemned to death, all over 

 the world 1 What good is obtained for society by hanging or 

 guillotining these miscreants? They have forfeited the sympathies 

 of mankind, and are, so to speak, beyond the human pale. Wh}' 

 not utilize such desperadoes in the causes of science 1 In testing the 

 efficacy of this, so far, seeming cure, in a legitimate manner on the 

 carcase of a murderer, it should outrage nobody's feelings and 

 humanity heeds little the distorted sympathy of a foolish crank. 

 If all mankind be benefited and a remedy for snake poisons proved 

 effectual by this means, even though a miscreant be sacrificed in 

 the trial, such a life already condemned to be extinguished, is little 

 to be regarded. I most unhesitatingly assert that if the bodies of 

 parties who had forfeited their lives, were employed for scientific 

 research, it would be a grand step in the march of civilization, a 

 step in moral improvement, and must tend to the elucidation of our 

 knowledge in the treatment of very many obscure diseases. Is it 

 not fit that a few cast-aways should suffer to save the living masses 

 of society !■ 



Other assistants to the treatment here presented ai-e snakestones 

 and ligatures. 



Snakestones are applied at once to the punctui-e made by the fang 

 of the snake and adhere and draw out the poison, and as soon as 

 they become filled drop off and hold the venom so extracted ; they 

 are then thrown into milk or water and the venom swims on the top. 

 Milk is the better to use, as the j^oison turns green and is easily 

 seen. I recommend a cut to be made over the puncture and several 

 folds of blotting paper to be introduced, so as to suck uj) the serum 

 and poison at once. Absorbing cotton or any similar article is 

 always readily obtained. 



Ligatures delay circulation and absorption and give more time 



