2o8 BACTERIA IN DAILY LIFE 



Africa cattle and horses frequently died from the 

 effect of snake - bites, the natives themselves 

 seldom or never appeared to suffer any incon- 

 venience from such injuries other than would 

 follow any accident which would set up local 

 inflammation. On inquiry he found that they 

 were in the habit of extracting the poison gland 

 from the snake immediately it is killed, squeezing 

 it into their mouths and drinking the secretion, 

 thereby apparently acquiring absolute immunity 

 from snake-bites. So impressed was Mr. Bolton 

 by what he observed that he adds : " I can no 

 longer refuse to believe in the efficacy of the snake 

 virus itself as a remedy against snake poison." 



Savage tribes have learnt from bitter experience 

 how to protect themselves from snake-bites, and it 

 is well known that they have a method of inocula- 

 tion which they employ with success. The Creoles 

 of Surinam use an ointment as a protection against 

 snake-bites, which is regarded as highly efficacious. 

 It is reputed to consist principally of the pounded 

 head of a rattlesnake, which concoction would 

 therefore include the contents of the venom glands. 

 This is then mixed with the juices of a certain 

 plant, which addition probably mitigates the in- 

 tensity of the venom by acting as a diluent. This 

 substance is generally applied by making an 

 incision in the wrist or forearm and rubbing it in, 



