474 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



Snakes are living barometers. They grow active, lively and strong 

 when the air is warm and the sun shining. In the degree that the air 

 grows cold, they, in that degree, become sluggish. 



A snake may be quite stiff, and to all outward appearances dead, but 

 on being warmed it will revive. 



The suspension of the vital forces in reptiles during the cold season 

 can be compared to that which vegetation undergoes in winter. 



When snakes hibernate, they live upon the fat they have accumulated 

 during the summer. This fat accumulates in the abdomen in little cakes, 

 connected with tissue. 



Python fat is in great request among South African natives as a 

 lubricant for rheumatism and pulmonary complaints. 



A Python has about 300 sections to its backbone, and 150 pairs of ribs. 



It is not true that Cobras suck cows and goats. They are found in 

 cattle and sheep kraals, drawn thither in search of rats, and the warmth 

 given off by the animals. 



A young snake will live four months, sometimes longer, without food. 

 Most of them, however, die within two months after birth, if not fed. 



Snakes have strong prehensile or gripping power in their tails. In 

 the Pythons and Tree Snakes it is highly developed. 



There is a widespread belief in South Africa that a snake, known as 

 the Hoop Snake, swallows its tail and bowls itself along like a hoop. This 

 is not a fact. 



Permanganate of potash is of little or no use unless applied within ten 

 minutes of being bitten. 



Permanganate of Potash has no antidotal effect if swallowed. 



Don't keep a ligature on for more than half an hour to an hour. If you 

 do, there is grave danger of mortification. 



The only scientific antidote for snake bite is a scrum. It is made 

 polyvalent, and is prepared from the venoms of African snakes. This 

 special kind is of high antidotal power. 



The active principle of practically all the patented "cures," except 

 the serum and permanganate of potash, is strychnine and ammonia. 

 These are nerve and heart stimulants only. They do not possess any 

 antidotal power. Some of these so-called antidotes have certain herb 

 extracts in them. All, which I have tested, have been quite worthless. 



Don't waste your money on these, and risk loss of life. 



Provide yourself with the proper serum, permanganate, lancet and 

 serum syringe, and you are safe. 



The Bushmen of old in South Africa used snake poison largely in the 

 poisoning of their arrow-heads. 



They first enraged the snake, for in doing so the glands got full, and 

 the venom was more virulent. 



To prevent the snake wasting his venom, they held it down by pressing 

 its head against the ground and preventing it opening its mouth. 



Cobra venom acts rapidly on the nerve-centres, causing paralysis and 

 rapid death. 



