220 ANECDOTES. 



cumstance; procured a sword, and returned 

 to destroy the horrid looking creature. I 

 made a cut at it and not only cut it in two, 

 but also cut the bed clothes, to the great 

 amusement of rny mess mates. Such tricks, 

 however should never be played, as the con- 

 sequences might be very serious. 



Having now related all the principal anec- 

 dotes I recollect concerning snakes, it may 

 be expected of me to recommend something 

 as a remedy for people bitten. On this head 

 I lament that I have little to communicate 

 that is not well known in India. 



Eau-de-luce is considered by most people 

 there, to be a specific, but not by me ; I have 

 no idea that it possesses any peculiar virtues, 

 or that it acts differently from any other sti- 

 mulent, nor do I consider it so strong as some 

 other volatile spirits. I am of opinion that 

 any volatile alkali will be of service, in fact, 

 any medicine that will stimulate the heart 

 to action will be serviceable; and the strong- 



