58 WAGNER and BREVOR 



are a peculiar curse. The natives are extraordinary skilful in ex- 

 tracting them and every traveller in this region should allow his 

 native servant to go over his feet regularly every day in search 

 of them. 



Snake Bite. For snake bite potassium permanganate, a supply of 

 anti-toxin serum and a hypodermic syringe whould be carried. 

 Potassium permanganate if quickly applied within five minutes 

 is an absolutely certain antidote and a small supply should be car- 

 ried by every member of the party. The most convenient way of 

 carrying it is in a Lauder Brunton outfit, consisting of a small 

 cylindrical case with a lancet at one end and a container for per- 

 manganate of potash crystals at the other. Three or four deep in- 

 cisions are made over the site of the bite in the direction of the 

 muscles and crystals of permanganate vigourously rubbed in, or better 

 still a solution of the permanganate is injected with a hypodermic 

 syringe. A ligature is then applied between the wound and the 

 heart and as much blood as possible squeezed or sucked out of the 

 incisions. If the patient shows signs of collapse he should be given 

 a strong dose of whisky or brandy or an injection of strychnine. 

 In the case of complete collapse strychnine should be injected and 

 artificial respiration resorted to. Where the patient shows no distressing 

 symptoms the ligature may be removed after half an hour. In any 

 case it should not be allowed to remain on too long without being 

 loosened. 



The anti-toxin serum has the great advantage over permanganate 

 of potash that it can be applied up to the time that the advanced 

 symptoms of poisoning set in and even after this, though it is of 

 course advantageous to apply it as soon as possible. It is injected 

 hypodermically in doses of 10 c. c., being put up in small bottles 

 of 25 c. c. Several of these ought to be included in the medical 

 outfit. Two doses should be injected preferably in different parts 

 of the body. In the event of collapse the expedients previously 

 referred to should be adopted. 



It is advisable even when the patient has apparently recovered 

 as the result of permanganate treatment to give him at least one 

 injection of the serum. The latter is best kept at the base camp 

 in a cool spot as it is apt to deteriorate. 



Where neither permanganate nor serum are available a ligature 

 should be applied, the site of the bite scarified, sucked or cut and 

 the services of a native doctor sought. Numerous instances of 

 complete cures by native doctors are on record and many old 



