124 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. [^ANNO 1737. 



On the Efficacy of Oil of Olives in curing the Bite of Vipers. By Stephen 

 miliams, MB. F.R.S. N" 445, p. 26. 



In presence of several gentlemen of the faculty of physic, Wm. Oliver, the 

 viper-catcher (mentioned N° 443,*) suffered himself, on June 26, 1735, to be 

 bitten by a female viper ; which being enraged, fixed her fangs in the middle 

 part of his fore-finger. Blood soon issued out at the wounds : but that the 

 poison might more strongly appear, the same viper immediately bit a pigeon in 

 the breast, which expired in less than half an hour. Another pigeon was also 

 bitten by the same viper, which expired also, though not so soon as the first. The 

 man immediately complained of an acute pain in the wounded part ; and it soon 

 looked red, then became of a livid colour : his finger swelled to a great size, 

 and he could not bend it. Soon after this his hand also began to swell : he 

 complained of faintness, aftd pains flying to his arm, shoulder, and arm-pits. 

 In half an hour's time from the bite, his specific being applied, and strongly 

 rubbed into the part aflfected, procured him immediate ease. His pain lessened, 

 his finger became flexible, his spirits seemed more chearful : the specific being 

 thus several times repeated and applied, his pains gradually diminished. The 

 next day his finger and hand remained swoln, but without pain : the skin began 

 to appear yellow, and pustules like bladders appeared on his finger ; which being 

 pricked, emitted a sanious liquor. In 2 days time all his symptoms vanished, 

 and he became perfectly well. 



June 30, the gentlemen of the faculty met again, and tried several experi- 

 ments on puppies, cats, and pigeons ; when they proved the efficacy of this 

 man's specific, to the great satisfaction of the company. 



J4 Proposal for the Measurement of the Earth in Russia. By Mr. Jos. 

 Nic. de Vlsle, first Professor of Astronomy, at Petersburg, and F.R.S. 

 N° 445, p. 27. 



Necessity, or the exigencies of geography and navigation, put mankind very 

 early on measuring the earth. On the first determination of the magnitude of 

 the earth in geographical measures, as in Stadia and Arabian miles, the ancients 

 did not employ any great degree of exactness. They were content to set down 

 the circumference of the earth, and of its parts, in round numbers ; probably 

 because they did not expect to be able to attain much preciseness in a research 

 of this nature. But as their desires of improving geography increased, they 



• Page 84, of this vol. of these Abridgments. 



