332 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



it did not retard a fatal issue in the least. Its effect is nil when 

 applied to the bitten parts of animals injected with the venom 

 of South African snakes. Even if applied within a minute of 

 the injection of venom it fails to exert any curative influence. 



Carbolic acid is largely used in cases of snake bite. If applied 

 to the incised wounds immediately after the infliction of the bite 

 it helps slightly to prevent the absorption of the venom. Its 

 influence, however, is so small that it is, practically speaking^ 

 valueless. 



The actual burning of the scarified bitten part with a red-hot 

 iron, coal, or exploding gunpowder, destroys the venom in the 

 wounds, but unless done within five or ten minutes of the in- 

 fliction of the bite it is of no value at all. At best it is a dread- 

 fully drastic remedy. Dr. Fayrer in experiments with the venom 

 of the Indian Cobra found that the poison was so rapid in its 

 action that, although he thoroughly cauterized the wounds with 

 two white-hot needles plunged into the punctures within a second 

 of the infliction of the bite, and although he then quickly burned 

 the flesh with a hot iron and ligatured the limb, the animal died. 

 I have found the venom of the South African Cobras, notably 

 that of the Cape and Black-necked Cobras, to be equally swift 

 and deadly under similar circumstances. At least three cases 

 came under my observation of Kafirs being bitten at buck hunts, 

 and the hunter resorted to cutting open the wounds and flashing 

 gunpowder in them. 



Bluestone is another substance largely used, which is of no 

 value at all in the treatment of snake bite. 



Strychnine and Ammonia. 



The bases of most projirietary cures for snake bites are 

 strychnine and ammonia. Neither of these substances is of 

 any value in neutralizing the poisonous properties of snake 

 venom. Ammonia is of no use whatsoever when taken in- 

 ternally, injected into a vein, or applied to the bite. It does not 

 delay death in the slightest. If mixed with venom it does not 

 destroy or neutralize its poisonous properties in any way. Ex- 

 periments have been carried out which conclusively prove that 

 this is so. As a stimulant it is not to be recommended. 



In cases of Colubrine snake bite (Cobras), strychnine in 



