400 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



will prove a good object-lesson in showing just how the serum 

 would spread, if injected. 



Knowledge makes a man confident. It is the lack of knowing 

 just what to do when faced with an emergency that makes him 

 " lose his head." 



Anti-venene serum is the only substance for secondary 

 treatment recommended by science as possessing curative value 

 in cases of snake bite, and which can be injected under the 

 skin without any risk. There is an element of risk in injecting 

 it direct into a vein. This will be explained later. 



If bitten by an unknown snake, it is advisable to inject a 

 dose of serum if any be at hand. It will do no harm if the snake 

 should happen to be a harmless one, and will serve the purpose 

 of allaying the nervous dread of the bitten person. It is at times 

 difficult to distinguish the symptoms produced by nerve-shock 

 exhibited by most people bitten by snakes, and the real symptoms 

 of snake venom poisoning, especially that of the Cobra which 

 acts mainly upon the nervous system. 



Anti-venomous serum for the treatment of any kind of African 

 snake is now available. It is known as polyvalent serum. 



The Treatment of Snake Bite. 

 What to do if bitten. 



The most practical thing to do if bitten by a snake is to 

 prevent the absorption of the venom into the general circula- 

 tion. If a large dose of venom should get into the body it will 

 be pumped by the heart to the remotest parts. So we must 

 immediately attack the venom at the spot where it has been 

 injected. 



There is very little chance of preventing at least some of the 

 venom getting into the blood circulation, but that will not matter 

 provided a fatal dose has not been absorbed. Every moment 

 is precious, as the venom after its injection under the skin is 

 being greedily sucked up and carried into the body by the 

 absorbent vessels. 



Knowing that permanganate of potash destroys any venom 

 it may actually come in contact with, it is presumed you will 

 have some at hand. A sharp penknife and a small tube or 

 pill-box full of permanganate should be carried by everybody 

 who runs any risk of snake bite. In a country like that of South 



