e6 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [aNNO 1736. 



over a pan of charcoal set by the bed-side; but continuing to complain much 

 of his back and belly, Dr. M. advised his wife to rub them likewise with sallad 

 oil, heated in a ladle over the charcoal: which she did accordingly; on which 

 he declared he found immediate ease, as if by some charm; and he had not 

 above two or three retchings to vomit and stools afterwards, but made water 

 plentifully, which was not discoloured. He then soon fell into a sound sleep; 

 only was often interrupted by persons coming to see and inquire after him, till 

 near 12 o'olock, from which time he slept continually to 5 or 6 next morning, 

 when he awaked, and found himself very well; but in the afternoon, on drink- 

 ing some rum and strong beer, so as to be almost fuddled, the swelling returned 

 with much pain, and cold sweats; which abated soon, on bathing the arm as 

 before, and wrapping it up in brown paper soaked with oil. 



Immediately after the man, two pigeons were bitten by the same viper. They 

 soon sickened, and seemed giddy. Nothing being applied, the one died in 

 about an hour's time, the other half an hour after. The flesh of both was 

 turned quite black, as if mortified; the blood was coagulated, and looked 

 black. 



June 3, the man's arm remained swelled, looked red, marbled with spots 

 of yellow, but felt soft; and he had the perfect use of it, and even of his 

 fingers, no pain or stiffness being left. He then caused a small spaniel dog to 

 be bitten on the nose by a fresh viper; some oil was immediately applied hot, 

 and rubbed well in, till all the hair of his nose was thoroughly wet ; the dog 

 did not seem very uneasy; his nose only swelled a little; he eat soon after; his 

 nose was bathed once more that evening ; he was found very well next morning; 

 but his nose was bathed again, to make sure of his cure; he remained per- 

 fectly well without any symptoms ensuing, and was alive and well a year after. 



Another pigeon was likewise bitten under the wing at the same time as the 

 dog, but by a fresh viper. The oil was immediately applied hot, and rubbed 

 well in, and the feathers of the wing were thoroughly wetted with it. This 

 bird did not seem at all disordered with the venom, but ate soon after, and was 

 found well the next morning, without any remarkable inflammation or swelling 

 about the part. The hot oil was rubbed in again for 2 or 3 days, twice a day, 

 and the bird continued well, so that the viper- catchers carried it with them out 

 of town in triumph, having never before experienced the efficacy of their 

 remedy on so small an animal; which, as it receives the same quantity of 

 venom by a bite as a larger one, is more liable to die under it; and they kept it 

 alive above 3 months, when they killed it and ate it. 



They said that they had experienced their remedy to take effect on cows, 

 horses, and dogs, 10 hours after being bitten; but that for themselves, who 



