INOCULATION AGAINST THE VENOM OF SNAKES. 525 



In the case of the cobra, the Daboia and the Bungara, the statistics 

 of Fayrer, based upon a total of 65 fatal cases, give a mean period of 

 survival as follows : — 



Proportion 

 per cent. 



Under 2 hours ». .., 22*96 



From 2 to 10 hours 24'53 



6* „ 12 „ 23-05 



„ 12 „ 24 „ „ 9-36 



Above 24 hours ... ... ... ... 21*10 



Admitting that, as regards India, it may be impossible to succour 

 in time persons classed in the first category above, who succumb in 

 less than two hours, it is plain that the treatment has a great chance 

 of being efficacious in the case of all the others, that is, in 77'04 per 

 cent, of those otherwise doomed, to death. 



This new application of serum therapy should be immediately 

 brought into general use in all cases of venomous bites in countries 

 like India, Australia, the Malay Archipelago, the Cape, Natal, the 

 Transvaal, .Egypt, Brazil, Central America and the Southern States, 

 where snakes make such numerous victims every year. 



The Governments of these countries should at once. create stations 

 for medical aid at least in the principal agricultural centres and in 

 forest and mining works, where any person bitten by a venomous 

 reptile can repair in the shortest possible time to seek assistance. 

 These stations should be provided with a supply of serum, hypodermic 

 injection syringes, a constantly fresh solution of hypochloride of lime, 

 and other medicaments and necessaries for the dressing of wounds. 



The expense of carrying out this organization would be small 

 indeed compared with the immense services rendered thereby. 



The above is an extract from a work lately published by the '* Soeiete 

 d? editions scientifiques" Paris. 



