I30 TYPES OF ANIMAL LIFE 



poisonous kinds are far the more numerous, but never- 

 theless some 20,000 human beings are killed every year 

 in India alone by venomous serpents. 



No distinct chemical principle has yet been detected in 

 the poisonous saliva, but such a thing there must be in 

 the different kinds of snakes, seeing that after a fatal 

 bite from a rattlesnake or viper, the victim's blood will 

 not coagulate, while after a fatal bite from a cobra it will 

 still do so. It has also been ascertained that if the blood 

 of a bitten animal be injected into a healthy one, the 

 latter will be poisoned just as if it had been bitten itself, 

 although its flesh may be eaten with impunity. It is a 

 mistake, however, to suppose that snake's poison can 

 have no effect unless actually mixed with the blood. It 

 will act after being absorbed through such delicate skin 

 as that which lines oui' lips, though its action is then less 

 powerful. 



The effect of snake bite depends partly on the condition 

 of the snake, partly on that of the person bitten. If the 

 snake has bitten shortly before, or if it is not in a vigor- 

 ous state, its effect will be more or less diminished ; 

 while it is increased if the person bitten is weakly, very 

 nervous, or a child. As to nervousness, some persons 

 are said to have died merely of fright. Of course, some- 

 thing depends on the part of the body bitten, a bite being 

 especially fatal if the fangs actually penetrate a large 

 blood-vessel. The bite of a rattlesnake has been known 

 to produce almost instant death. Xo effectual antidote 

 has as yet been discovered. Ammonia and permanganate 

 of potassium are ineffectual, although a solution of the 

 latter will take away the poisonous effects of the snake's 

 secretion if it be mixed with it. Immediate amputation 

 of the bitten toe or finger is the best course, as the delay 

 of a few seconds will suffice to convey the poison into the 



