GENERAL CHARACTERS OF REPTILES. 535 



the Viper is sufficient to kill a Sparrow, six times as much would 

 be required to destroy a pigeon. 



475. Before this poison can act upon the animal body, it must 

 be absorbed and carried into the current of the circulation ; hence, 

 when a bite has been received from a venomous reptile, the most 

 proper means to retard this absorption should be at once em- 

 ployed, in order to have time to draw out, or to destroy, the 

 venom deposited in the bottom of the bite. Compression exer- 

 cised upon the veins above the bitten part, and the application 

 of a cupping-glass upon the wound itself, are the most proper 

 means to retard the absorption of the poison ; but in order to 

 deliver the sufferer completely from the danger which menaces 

 him, it is necessary in general to enlarge the wound, and to 

 cauterise the bottom of it, either with a red- hot iron, or with 

 powerful caustics. Some internal remedies have also been 

 praised, such as ammonia, arsenic, &c. ; but on these means, 

 even if they are sometimes useful, no great dependence should 

 be placed. The South American Indians attribute still greater 

 virtues to a plant of their country, known by the name of 

 Guam, or Micania guaco ; they assert that not only does the 

 application of the leaves of the guaco upon the bite of the most 

 dangerous Serpents, prevent all deleterious effect, but that the 

 inoculation of the juice of this plant prevents these animals 

 from biting the person thus prepared. The celebrated and 

 learned traveller, M. de Humboldt, thinks, after some experi- 

 ments, that the guaco may give to the skin an odour which is 

 repugnant to the Serpent, and which hinders it from biting. The 

 symptoms which accompany the action of the poison differ 

 according to the species and circumstances. Generally, the 

 circulation is extremely enfeebled, the blood loses the power of 

 coagulating, and the parts surrounding the wound become gan- 

 grenous. 



476. The arrangement of the poison- apparatus varies amongst 

 these Reptiles. Sometimes the tooth which is placed at the end 

 of the canal that excretes the poison, is a movable hook ; some- 

 times an immovable tooth, simply furrowed. Serpents with 

 movable poison fangs, are the most dangerous. These fangs 



