1923] POPE, RATTLESNAKE FACTS AND FALLACIES 139 



few are the actually useful chemicals known in case of catastrophe 

 with human kind. The administration of large doses of whiskey is 

 not only useless but exceedingly harmful. In small doses, whiskey 

 is a valuable stimulant and combats the paralyzing action of the venom. 

 In large doses it stimulates but briefly, and then benumbs the facul- 

 ties, reducing the system to a condition most susceptible to the action 

 of the poison. It is a bold assertion, but nevertheless true, that the 

 majority of so-called cures by the whiskey method have been but 

 ' recoveries,' by frightened individuals, from the bites of harmless 

 snakes. 



"It is of interest to review, from a simple and practical stand- 

 point, the best treatment in case of accident. First, of importance, 

 is to shut off the flow of blood from the vicinity of the wound, and pre- 

 vent the venom attaining access to the general system. If the wound 

 be upon the arm or leg, as it almost invariably is, this is quickl}^ effected 

 by the application of a ligature; a rubber ligature is the most conven- 

 ient, and best in result. With the flow of blood shut off the next step 

 is to enlarge the punctures made by the fangs in an endeavour to 

 drain away the surrounding, poisoned blood. This treatment is of 

 course heroic, but should be performed thoroughly and without hesi- 

 tation. A very sharp knife or a razor should be used. Incisions 

 slightly deeper than those made by the fangs should be made directly 

 across the primary wound and about an inch in length. If the bite is 

 from a very large snake the incisions should be larger. The flow of 

 blood from these drainage cuts should be hastened by suction from 

 the mouth, after which the wounds should be thoroughly washed out 

 with a solution of permanganate of potash (enough of the crystals in 

 water to produce a deep wine color). While these precautions are 

 being taken, send for a good surgeon. In many instances of snake-bite, 

 surgical attendance is not within calling distance. If such be the 

 situation, several things must be done, and carefully. 



"The ligature should be removed, but not until the drainage cuts 

 have been thoroughly bled and washed to their depths with the solu- 

 tion of permanganate of potash, the action of which oxidizes and thus 

 destroys that poison with which it comes in contact. With the liga- 

 ture removed small doses of whiskey should be taken, to stimulate; 

 alarming symptoms — fainting spells — should be met with hypodermic 

 doses of strychnine, which is a powerful stimulant. The wounds 

 themselves should be carefully covered with wet, antiseptic dressing, 

 small strips of which should be packed into the drainage incisions to 

 keep them open and induce further drainage of poisoned blood. 



