ROOTS, BARK, AND HERBS. 335 



the same poisonous properties as when fresh. In scores of my 

 experiments I have used the dried venom. Its effects are as 

 powerful as the venom just extracted from the snake. Even 

 after a great many years its poisonous properties seem in no way 

 diminished. To rub dry snake venom into a cut with the idea 

 that it will cure a case of snake bite, is simply idiotic. Such an 

 action would materially lessen the chances of recovery, for the 

 simple reason that an extra supply of venom was being intro- 

 duced into the blood. The venom of one species of snake has 

 absolutely no neutralizing effect upon that of another. If several 

 venoms are mixed and injected into an animal it dies rapidly. 



Colonists would be well advised to leave all native " cures " 

 severely alone. Some are harmless enough, but others are dis- 

 tinctly hurtful and lessen the chances of recovery. There is 

 one thing quite certain. If you desire to make the recovery 

 of a person bitten by a snake impossible, then rub in plenty 

 of this famous dried venom " cure " in which thousands of 

 colonists and natives profoundly believe. 



Roots, Bark, and Herbs. 



In all countries where venomous snakes abound the majority 

 of the popular remedies are preparations of roots, bark, or herbs. 



In the East Indies a plant is largely used in the treatment 

 of snake bite. It is known as the Mungoose Plant {Ophiorrhiza 

 mimgos) of the order " Rubiaceae." 



In North America the following are in great demand — the 

 roots of Aristolochia reticulata, or Texas Snake Root, Liatris 

 spicata and Eryngium acquaticum, known as the Button Snake 

 Root, also Eupatorium altissimum, or White Snake Root. 



The active principles in these roots are substances which 

 stimulate the skin and kidneys {Diaphoretic and Diuretic). 



The various preparations in South Africa, of vegetable origin, 

 are of no use at all as antidotes to snake venom. Tinctures and 

 decoctions prepared from them cause various constitutional dis- 

 turbances. The main effects are stimulation of the kidneys, 

 skin, or bowels. If any one is desirous of producing the same 

 effects as these vegetable preparations which are usually sold 

 at a high price, he has only to go to a chemist's shop and ask for 

 a medicine which increases the action of the skin or kidneys, or 

 bowels, and for sixpence he will obtain as much as he would 



