492 THE SNAKES OF SOUTH AFRICA. 



exception of mortification of the finger, which I subsequently 

 amputated. There had been no hgature placed around the 

 finger, so the mortification was not due to strangulation. The 

 finger, on admission, was soaked in strong carboHc solution, 

 and subsequently in strong permanganate of potash. There was 

 evidence that the snake was a Ringhals, and as the man was so 

 near death when admitted, I presume the remedy was successful." 

 The Normal Saline Solution injected by Dr. Wright is made 

 as follows : 7875 grs. sodium chloride (common salt) dissolved 

 in 20 ozs. of sterilized water. 



A BooMSLANG Bite. 



Mr. G. W. Pretorius was one day walking among some prickly 

 pear bushes at Uitenhage, when he disturbed a Brown Boom- 

 slang in the grass. It struck out at him and gripped the calf 

 of his leg. He endeavoured to kick it off, but failed. Stooping 

 down he seized it by the body, plucked its head away and threw 

 it from him. Although he had ordinary trousers on, the fangs 

 penetrated them and made two punctures in his skin. He 

 improvised a hgature and apphed it. Dr. McPherson, the 

 District Railway doctor, was soon in attendance. He scarified 

 the wound freely and otherwise treated him. Some hours after 

 the infliction of the bite, Pretorius fainted away, and remained 

 insensible for some time. 



The ligature was kept on for some days, being slightly loosened 

 at short intervals. The bitten hmb swelled considerably, and 

 extensive haemorrhage occurred in it. Blood slowly oozed 

 from all the mucous surfaces, particularly the nose and mouth. 

 For a month Pretorius lay in bed in a critical condition. For 

 the first week his stomach rejected all food. For some days 

 water was vomited when swallowed. 



For ten days and more, he suffered severely from pains in 

 the bowels. In fact, his symptoms were similar to those described 

 in the case of James Williams, except that the haemorrhage was 

 chiefly confined to the leg which was bitten ; also the mucous 

 membranes. This was doubtless due to the ligature which pre- 

 vented the venom passing into the general circulation in sufficient 

 strength to cause subcutaneous haemorrhage in other parts, as 



