BY DE. BEENCASTLE. 195 



poison being conveyed by the absorbents into the system. The 

 part bitten should be raised up well with the forceps, and a piece 

 cut out not larger than a sixpence, which will include the whole 

 depth of the puncture, and the bleeding should be promoted by 

 warm water. There is no fear of cutting any of the veins or 

 arteries if the flesh is well pulled up by the person cutting it ; and 

 if the bleeding is unusual, continued pressure on the part with 

 lint or a handkerchief will stop it. When the bleeding has ceased, 

 the ipecacuanha poultice may be applied to the part as a matter 

 of further precaution. The surgical part of the treatment, which 

 is the first to be carried out, will thus consist in the sucking, the 

 ligature, the excision, and applying the ipecacuanha poultice. I 

 do not recommend to enlarge the puncture, or scarify the part 

 which promotes absorption but I should prefer it to be sucked 

 well, undisturbed by any interference, until it is cut out with the 

 knife or scissors. 



I should not object to the part being touched with the actual 

 cautery or red hot iron, if such be at hand immediately, which 

 would prevent excision being required ; but I think it is more 

 painful, and inferior in efficacy, as it is not followed by a flow of 

 blood which is so useful. The patient ought not to be dragged 

 about as is the custom, but may sit in an easy chair, in the open air, 

 his state being something similar to a person in a fainting fit, 

 who requires all his strength to rally against the state of collapse ; 

 and for that purpose experience has proved that there is no 

 remedy so certain in counteracting the effects of the poison and the 

 excessive prostration of the entire nervous system, as a large quan- 

 tity of brandy, whiskey, or any other spirits taken pure, or mixed 

 with water, at the option of the patient, and in quantity a pint or 

 more, according to the urgency of the symptoms. All- this 

 should be taken as soon as possible after the bite ; no intoxication 

 will take place, and if the symptoms of it appear, no more should 

 be given. This large amount of spirits, that under ordinary 

 circumstances might of itself be fatal, will be found completely 

 to overcome the poison by suddenly rousing the prostrate nervous 

 system to regain its equilibrium, and thus become the real 

 ANTIDOTE, and the only one that can actually be depended on in 

 any dangerous case of Snake bite, A child will be able to take 



