REPTILIA. 265 



operator with impunity if the mouth be sound, as the virulence of the 

 poison is only manifested when introduced into the circulation ; repeated 

 experiment has shown that a moderate amount may be taken into the 

 stomach without danger. A well fitted syringe, with rather a long nozzle, 

 is often used to great advantage in sucking out the poison, the same 

 purpose also being answered by cupping instruments. If none of these 

 methods can be employed, and the venom has become absorbed, then 

 attention must be turned towards the proper internal remedies, those 

 merely external being of no further avail. The wound is to be carefully 

 bathed with chlorinated water, or with water to which has been added 

 some chloride of lime, and the patient put to bed. Of the internal appli- 

 ances now to be made we have our choice of two kinds : the first consists in 

 employing some sudorific, by which a copious perspiration may be brought 

 about ; this, though not always successful, is yet almost always advisable. 

 The second remedy is chlorine, which is to be used instead of the sudorific ; 

 this may be in the form of chlorinated water, or of the chloride of lime 

 dissolved in water. 



It is almost needless to add that many of the applications to a serpent 

 bite, such as a chicken stripped of its feathers, &c., depend almost entirely 

 for their efBcacy upon the controlling influence of a powerful faith, and the 

 same may likewise be said of many of the vegetable remedies. The 

 mucilaginous juices of plants in general appear to exert a controlling influ- 

 ence upon the result, although some species, as Impatiens pallida and fulva 

 (glassweed), Eupatorium perfoliatum (boneset), Plantago major (plan- 

 tain), and others, appear to have specific influence. The use of alcoholic 

 liquors, as brandy, in large doses, has been recommended by some mem- 

 bers of the Faculty. Ammonia, or spirits of hartshorn, olive oil, and many 

 other substances, to be applied both externally and internally, have all had 

 their supporters. Generally speaking, however, the only sure remedy lies 

 in the immediate removal of the poison by suction, washing, increased flow 

 of blood, excision of the part, &c. 



We have thus gone into some detail on the subject, believing it to be of 

 intrinsic importance in a country abounding in venomous serpents, to be 

 aware of what may be done to arrest the progress of an affliction, which, if 

 not always mortal, is yet productive of a great deal of pain, and often 

 chronic affections of the system. 



We proceed to enumerate in brief terms the remaining characters of the 

 sub-order Viperina. The lower jaw is provided with teeth as in the Colu- 

 brina. The head is usually broad, so as to exhibit a very strongly marked 

 distinction between it and the neck. The crown is generally covered 

 with scales much like those of the back, rarely with shields or plates. The 

 hinder limbs are not present even in a rudimentary condition. The eyes 

 are on the side of the head, often shaded by an overhanging brow ; the 

 nostrils are placed at the side of the snout, near the tip. The two families, 

 included in the sub-order, are distinguished by the presence or absence of 

 a pit or depression between the eye and the nostril. 



Fam. CrotalidcB. Face with a large pit on each side. The head is 



469 



