444 DISEASES DUE TO J'EA'OMS AXD POISONS 



Applv boric acid fomentations, frequently repeated, followed b}- a 

 mild antiseptic dressing when the wound heals. 



Suck the wound. Gastric and pancreatic juice neutralizes most 

 venoms. 



Care should be exercised that there are no abrasions about the 

 mouth or lips. W^iih some venoms the operation is not always free 

 from risk. 



(2) To neutralize the Venom absorbed. 



Tliis includes the attempt to procure an acquired immunity, so a 

 few remarks upon the subject of immunit)- as applied to snake venoms 

 will not be superfluous. 

 Natural Imrmmity. 



The mongoose and some hedgehogs are believed to be 

 immune to cobra bite. Pigs are less acutely affected owing to 

 a thick but slighty vascular layer about the body. In South 

 America there is a harmless Colubrine, the mussurana, that 

 fights, conquers, and eats the largest venomous reptiles in that 

 continent wdthout any obvious s\'mptoms. Perhaps this reptile 

 could be used therapeuticalh-. 

 A cq uired I m m un ity . 



The natives of Bushmanland, Xamaqualand and Damara- 

 land are said to drink snake venom for the sake of its protection. 



Some snake-charmers appear to be immune against certain 

 species. 



These individuals often extract the poison fangs preceding 

 their performances, but there are some who undoubtedly go 

 through it with the cobra poison fangs intact. It is asserted 

 that some vaccinate themselves bv allowing }oung cobras to 

 bite them from time to time. Nevertheless, accidents sometimes 

 happen and the best of them may die in the calling. They 

 certainly exercise great skill in the attempt to avoid being bitten. 



The repeated inoculation of venom heated to 8o°C. produces 

 some resistance in animals (Calmette). Calmette's serum is 

 active against cobra-venom but not against Russell's viper, 

 Bungarus, or Echis. The varieties of pure sera now in the 

 market are numerous and are to be used for cases of poisoning 

 by snakes whose names are indicated in the description of the 

 serum. 



(i) Lamb's pura Xaja tripudians Merrem serum. 

 {2) Lamb's pura Vipera russelli Shaw serum. 

 (3) Tidswell's pura Notechis scutatus serum. 

 C4) Xoguclii's pura crotalus serum. 



