CONSEQUENCES OF BEING BITTEN. 191 



very careful not to apply a strong solution of the potash, as it will 

 seriously burn the delicate membranes of the eyes. Several 

 cases have come under my observation of total and permanent 

 blindness ensuing after the entry of the venom into the eyes. As 

 a general rule, the sight is either wholly recovered or partially 

 so. I have known several instances of Europeans and natives 

 whopartially recovered their sight, and after two or three months 

 the cornea of the eye became opaque and the sight was per- 

 manently lost. I met a miserable-looking, blind old Hottentot 

 one day, and on inquiry, his friends informed me that about 

 twenty years ago a Ringhals spat in his eyes and blinded him. 

 I noticed the corneas of his eyes were opaque. 



It is quite a common occurrence for dogs to lose the sight of 

 one or both eyes. When out in the veld one daj^ my pointer dog 

 became suddenly rigid and " pointed." Advancing to investigate, 

 a Ringhals reared up, lunged forward, and the next instant the 

 dog was running about and crying out piteously. I did not 

 know in those days what to do in such emergencies, so I got the 

 dog home as best I could, but the poor beast never recovered his 

 sight. 



The venoms of all snakes, especially of the Adders and 

 Vipers, produce acute inflammation if sprayed into the eyes of 

 any warm-blooded animal. 



Consequences of being Bitten. 



If an adult Ringhals bite a man, and if the bite be full and 

 complete, and no efficient antidotal measures be immediately 

 taken, death is certain to take place, even if the person 

 bitten be hale and healthy. A Ringhals is capable of in- 

 jecting five to fifteen drops of venom at a time. Two drops will 

 kill a man. 



The fangs of the Ringhals, like those of the Cape Cobra, are 

 grooved and short, and if one of these reptiles bite a man through 

 his trousers, a certain amount of the venom will probably be 

 absorbed by the cloth. In other cases, only one fang inflicts a 

 wound, or the fangs may barely scratch the skin. In these 

 instances recovery is very probable, even if no preventive measures 

 be taken. Many worthless substances obtain a bogus reputation 

 as antidotes in consequence. 



