, - VEGETABLE POISONS. 179 



In the two first, the local train of symptoms, 

 though varyingin each in degree, were so checked 

 by the remedies applied, as to prevent the occur- 

 rence of what we have described as constituting 

 the secondary symptoms. But in the third child, 

 in consequence of very late application for assist- 

 ance, the secondary symptoms (though ultimately 

 removed by internal remedies,) had made great 

 progress, and nearly terminated in the death of 

 the patient. 



The bite of the viper is to be treated upon the 

 same principle as that of any other venomous 

 serpent, as the effects in each differ only in 

 degree. But as the viperine poison is much less 

 active than that of the rattle snake, or the cobra 

 de capello, we need not have recourse to those 

 violent remedies, which according to our present 

 view of the subject, we consider to be necessary 

 in the other instances. 



The viper catchers find a perfect security, when 

 bitten, in an assiduous application of the fat of 

 the animal to the part affected ; a proportion of 

 which they always keep in readiness against 

 such accidents. This has led to the successful 

 trial of olive oil warmed, so as to be readily ab- 

 sorbed by the wound, which is to be rubbed over 

 the whole of the surrounding surface, until ease 

 be obtained, and the swelling and inflammation 

 have subsided ; or until the patient can be con- 

 sidered to be completely out of clanger. This 



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