THE BITE OF VENOMOUS REPTILES. 427 



has been received, first well wash the parts around the 

 wound with soap and water ; next wash the wound itself 

 with the same made strong, and well rubbed in. It would 

 be proper to shave the hair, that any other lesser punc- 

 ture might be detected. If the wound or wounds be deep 

 or penetrating, dissect it or them wholly out ; and if in the 

 neighbourhood of important parts, as the eye, &c., apply 

 afterwards the nitrate of silver. If it be where no danger is 

 to be apprehended, use the actual cautery, which, in one 

 only small puncture, may be found sufficient ; taking care to 

 force the cautery to the bottom of the wound in either case. 

 In a lacerated lesion dissect the whole superficies out, if 

 possible, and then apply caustic to the whole surface of the 

 excavation. If the complete destruction of the inoculated 

 part be effected, no fear need be entertained for the safety 

 of the animal ; but it is very difficult often to decide that 

 no other bite has been received. Under such circumstances, 

 any antidote at all, possessing but questionable efficacy, 

 should be also given. The following may be prepared, not 

 in the hope of its effecting a cure, but with the expectation 

 of its acting as a preventative : — 



Box leaves (if possible, the tree box) eiglit ounces. 



Rue eight ounces , 



Cut very fine, and boil in three pints of milk in a close 

 vessel for one hour ; then remove and strain off. Again 

 boil the ingredients another hour in three pints of water ; 

 when again strain off, and mix the liquors. Of this mix- 

 ture give a third every morning fasting. A coiv may take 

 the same quantity, and a sheep one-sixth of it. 



THE BITE OF VENOMOUS REPTILES. 



Many of these, in warmer climates, inflict fatal wounds 

 both on man and beast. In the East Indies, the cobra di 

 capello will occasion death in the largest animal in a few 

 minutes : fortunately we know none of the serpent tribe 

 whose bite or sting is poisonous, excepting the adder ; 

 which now and then wounds horses and oxen while grazing. 

 This accident is not often attended with fatal consequences ; 

 and country persons, as a remedial treatment, merely rub 

 the part with an onion, and force another, mashed, down 



