The Zoologist — October, 1869. ■ ~ 1875 



by means of its sharp and curved fangs, without at the same time 

 being in a position to inject its poison into the wound so inflicted ; 

 and I greatly fear that it is in wounds of this description that the 

 much vaunted specifics are reputed to have proved successful. 



" 3rd. The poison very soon becomes exhausted by frequent biting. 



" 4th. There is no truth in the virtue attributed to the snake-stone, 

 for it has neither the power to absorb or otherwise neutrahze the 

 poison from the wound. 



" The snake-stone is simply tested by its porous nature, which the 

 natives of India ascertain by placing the stone in water : the fluid 

 entering the small interstices expels the air contained within them, 

 and which is seen to rise to the surface in minute bubbles, when, if it 

 does so, the stone is said to be alive, and is valued as a specific ; but 

 when not porous, and the air-bubbles are not seen to rise, it is con- 

 demned as worthless. Although there is much risk and danger, be- 

 sides expense, attending these experiments, still, in the cause of 

 science, I shall be glad to have opportunities of testing several speci- 

 mens of snake-stones, and deciding finally on their merits ; and I 

 shall be glad to obtain snake-stones and other reputed drugs for trial. 

 I shall feel greatly obliged to any one interested in the subject for 

 snake-stones or remedies said to be effective, which I will carefully 

 test and report results, and return the stones or drugs if necessary. 

 The adhesion of the snake-stone to the wound is readily accounted 

 for by the adhesive properties of the blood, and, as 1 have since 

 tested it, the same thing occurring on its application to any wound." 



This detail elicited the following letter: — 



" Scinde. — Snake-Bites. — (To the Editor of the ' Sindian.') — 

 Sir, — 1 have read with interest the account of a series of experiments, 

 conducted by Dr. Shortt, of Madras, which appeared in the '^Sindian' 

 of the 27th ; and as he has expressed a wish to obtain any further 

 information on the subject of these bites and their cure, with a pro- 

 mise to test any remedies which may be considered effective, I have 

 the pleasure to draw his attention to the castor-oil plant, which is 

 said to be (with what truth I have never had an opportunity of trying) 

 an infallible cure. The following is the formula : — Take a wine-glass 

 full of the juice of the leaves, mix a small quantity of water with it, 

 and give it to drink: in the meanwhile the part bitten is to be well 

 rubbed with bruised leaves in front of a fire. Should vomiting not 

 take place in ten minutes, half the quantity should be again given. 



