434 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



of the above method over others is that there is no necessity to 

 pull out and secure the tongue to prevent it blocking the entrance 

 to the windpipe. When the patient lies on his abdomen and 

 chest, and the head slightly turned aside, the tongue naturally 

 falls forward, and any froth, mucous, or water will run out of 

 the mouth or nose without in any way obstructing the air 

 passages. 



The second method is as follows. It is, however, not so 

 practical and simple as the first. 



Place the patient flat upon his back, put a pillow under his 

 shoulder-blades, let his head hang slightly back, pull his tongue 

 forward and fasten it, kneel over him, as shown in the illustration, 

 seize his elbows in your hands, and with a quick movement bring 

 his arms over his head, as far as they will go, so as to expand the 

 chest to the uttermost, pause an instant, then bring them forward 

 and press gently but strongly against his ribs to expel the air 

 in his lungs. Keep on doing this without pausing. The quicker 

 you start the process after natural breathing ceases the 

 better. 



The instant the patient starts to breathe of his own accord, 

 cease your manipulations and massage his legs and body vigor- 

 ously. As soon as he is able to swallow, give a little very strong 

 freshly brewed tea, or a few sips of hot brandy and water. If 

 you should notice the breathing beginning to cease, or if it should 

 suddenly stop, then at once resume the artificial breathing 

 operations. These efforts should be kept up for an hour at 

 least, or until a medical man pronounces life to be extinct. 



Hope of Recovery for the Apparently Dead. 



The venoms of all species of Cobras exert a poisonous, para- 

 lysing influence upon the nerve centres, and nervous system 

 generally, differing more or less in their pathological effects 

 according to the species. 



However, although the venoms of the different species of 

 Cobras vary more or less in their effects, yet they, one and all, 

 act as powerful nerve poisons. It has been urged by some 

 writers and lecturers that a dose of venom sufficient to kill a 

 healthy man will assuredly prove fatal if serum has not been 



