90 REPTILES OPHIDIANS DIAGRAM 5 



joint at the base. On closely examining one of these fangs, we 

 see in front, towards the point, a small slit, and on breaking it, 

 we find that it is hollow like a tube. This channel in the tooth, 

 and the slit form the passage for the poison. This is secreted by 

 a gland placed in the middle of the muscle which raises the fang 

 when the animal wishes to bite; the muscle in contracting 

 presses on the poison- gland, and the venom runs into the wound 

 through the channel 4 in the tooth. The fangs being thus 

 moveable at their base, are not very firmly fixed ; and the viper 

 often leaves them in the flesh ; but they are soon replaced by 

 others concealed in the gum, which grow and take the place of 

 those torn out. The presence of these fangs always allows us to 

 distinguish the bite of a viper from that of a common snake, 

 oven before the poison has begun to work. 



In a bite from a harmless snake, all the teeth make similar 

 holes, like large needles, but in the bite of a viper, two holes 

 larger than the rest are visible, which are caused by the 

 fangs. 



The bite of a viper is always dangerous ; it will make a man 

 very ill, and may kill a child. When one is bitten, the first 

 thing to do, as in any other accident, is to send for a doctor. 

 While waiting, it is always advisable to make the wound bleed 

 as much as possible, and to suck it, provided there is no sore on 

 the lips or in the mouth, through which the poison drawn from 

 the wound might enter. The wound should also be washed 

 with alkali or ammonia, if there is any at hand. Lastly a rather 

 tight bandage should be placed on the wounded limb ; above the 

 elbow if the wound is in the hand ; and above the knee, if it is 

 in the leg. The bandage should never be drawn tight enough 

 to make the limb cold, stiff, or insensible. But the doctor ought 

 to arrange this. 



The common snake has no fangs, and is therefore not venomous. 

 It is very easily tamed. It is very fond of milk, but it would be 

 quite impossible for it to suck the cows, as it was formerly 

 believed to do. The common snake and viper change their skin 



