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Snake Bites: 



44 Contrary to the general belief, the spreading head 

 viper is not a poisonous snake. The poisons from poisonous 

 reptiles kill the victim by getting into the blood stream; con- 

 sequently, the very first thing to do is to shut off the blood 

 in the part of the body that has been bitten, from the rest 

 of the body. This can be done, if the bite is upon an arm or 

 a leg, by tying a handkerchief loosely around the member 

 between the wound and the heart and putting a stick under 

 the bandage, turning or twisting it until it is tight enough 

 to stop the flow of blood in that part of the body. This 

 procedure, if done early, will probably save the life of the 

 individual., The next thing to do is to enlarge the openings 

 of the -wound where the fangs of the reptile entered by 

 means of a thoroughly clean knife blade. This is done for 

 the purpose of permitting the poison to find its way out of 

 the flesh. If there are no cuts or wounds upon the mouth of 

 a healthy individual, the wound may be sucked vigorously 

 in an effort to draw out the poison. A toothpick wrapped 

 with cotton and soaked with pure carbolic acid may be in- 

 serted freely into the wound. The best thing to use, if it is 

 available, is a strong solution of permanganate of potash. 

 This is made by taking the crystals of potash and dissolving 

 a teaspoonful into a half glass of water. This solution should 

 be used freely in the wound repeatedly, and if one lives in 

 a district exposed to such reptiles, it is well to have this 

 remedy in the house (or camp) for such purpose. A com- 

 petent physician should be called, of course, who will assist 

 in the further treatment of the patient, and by gradually 

 admitting the blood from the part bitten to the rest of the 

 body, the patient can be made to resist the poison that may 

 not have been removed or rendered harmless. The wound, 

 after this, should be treated according to the directions given 

 for cuts, or it should be treated according to the directions of 

 the attending physician. 



"It is a common error that has been responsible for 



