SNAKE BITE 335 



when in moderate amount. In other cases, as with 

 scorpions and tarantulas, the poison is often sufficiently 

 virulent to be dangerous. In still others, as with certain 

 mosquitoes, bedbugs and fleas, the poison may be in 

 the form of microbes which infected the insect when it 

 bit a diseased person. 



Treatment: The treatment varies with each case. For 

 the milder forms of insect bite, a strong solution of 

 ammonia, if applied at once, is fairly effective. The 

 more dangerous forms of poison introduced by scorpions 

 and tarantulas, should be treated like poison from snake 

 bites. 



Snake bite. Still another form of poison is that in- 

 jected by certain kinds of snake, such as the rattlesnake, 

 moccasin and cobra. The poison is especially virulent 

 and takes effect so quickly that the treatment must be 

 immediate. 



Treatment: Tie a tight bandage around the limb just 

 above the bite, to prevent the transmission of the poison 

 through the body. In this way, the poison is localized 

 in the limb and its effect upon the body as a whole is 

 avoided. Freely slash the skin in which the bite lies, 

 penetrating deeper than the wound, in order to induce 

 a copious bleeding which will wash the poison out of the 

 tissues ; or, burn out the bite with a red-hot iron. Give 

 stimulants as needed to support the strength and prevent 

 shock, but be careful not to make the patient drunk with 

 alcohol, as this tends to increase the paralyzing effect 

 of the poison. A physician should of course be called 

 as quickly as possible. 



Dog bite. The bite of a mad dog should have the 

 same treatment as a snake bite. 



Loss of consciousness. Loss of consciousness is a 

 common symptom for many conditions and injuries, such 



