THE COMMON VIPER. 93 



not run tapering to so great a length as in the 

 Snake. When, therefore, other distinctions fail, the 

 difference of the tail may be distinguished at a 

 single glance. 



The apparatus of poison in the Viper is very 

 similar to that of the Rattle-Snake, and all the 

 other poisonous serpents. The symptoms that fol- 

 low the bite are an acute pain in the wounded part, 

 with a swelling, at first red, but afterwards livid, 

 which, by degrees, spreads to the adjoining parts ; 

 with a great faintness, and a quick, though low, 

 and sometimes interrupted pulse ; great sickness at 

 the stomach, with bilious, convulsive vomitings, 

 cold sweats, and sometimes pain about the navel. 

 The most esteemed remedy is common sallad-oil 

 thoroughly rubbed on the wounded part. This is 

 always used by the viper-catchers, and seems far 

 more efficacious than any volatile alkali, as formerly 

 recommended. The bite of the viper in this coun- 

 try, although it produces a painful and troublesome 

 swelling, is rarely attended with any other bad con- 

 sequence. 



The poison, according to Dr. Mead, when diluted 

 with a little warm water, and applied to the tip of 

 the tongue, is very sharp and fiery, a sensation taking 

 place as if the tongue had been struck through with 

 something scalding or burning. This, he says, goes 

 off in two or three hours. One person, mentioned 

 by Dr. Mead, tried a large drop of it undiluted; in 

 consequence of which his tongue swelled, with a 

 little inflammation j and the soreness lasted two 

 days. Other persons, on the contrarv, assert it to 



