122 SIR JOSEPH FAYRER, K.C.S.I., ETC., ON SERPENT-WORSHIP. 



munication it is held that both vipei'ine and colnbrine venom are 

 not only nerve poisons but blood poisons too, especially viperine. 

 With respect to Feoktistow's experiments, the reptiles referred to 

 are ail viperines not colubrines ; the poisons of these differ in their 

 action. 



In India, the greatness of the need of some remedy for snake 

 bite has caused a large number of cures for the evil to be 

 proclaimed as useful, among them the remedies mentioned in 

 paragraph 11, and including that of strychnine, but it has been 

 urged that its use has not proved successful there ; this may 

 perhaps be attributed to the fact that the remedy has not been so 

 carefully used nor with that thorough acquaintance with its 

 proper application that Dr. Mueller's experiments have shown to 

 be so necessary, but it is known that Sir Joseph Fayrer (President 

 of the Medical Board at the India Office) has very lately recom- 

 mended to the authorities that it should be tried again : but, in 

 dealing with the subject it must be borne in mind that, as a rule, 

 Australian snakes are less venomous than those in India, at least 

 Indian medical men have come to that conclusion. — Ed. 



