INTRODUCTION. XXV 
In general the venomous snakes of North America are much less danger- 
ous than is supposed. What is fatal to the small animals which form their 
food becomes much less troublesome to larger ones. The degree of danger 
to men varies according to the size of the snake, the number of blood 
vessels in the part bitten, and the condition of the system at the time. 
There is a great variation in the amount of venom injected. After it has 
bitten several times, the supply of venom is reduced, so that a bite from a 
large specimen is not attended by serious consequences. The immediate 
effects of the poison are a terrible pain and rapid swelling about the bitten 
part, followed by general nervous prostration or exhaustion, retarded res- 
piration, and enfeebled action of the heart, accompanied by vomiting, 
perspiration, and partial loss of control of the muscles. When not fatal, 
recovery is very rapid, usually being complete in about three days. A 
peculiar swelling on the jaws remains for a long time in cattle that have 
been bitten. Fatal cases in which men have been victims probably do not 
number as many as one in twenty. The remedies are cutting out the bite, 
burning with red-hot iron, caustic or nitric acid, suction by the mouth or 
cups, ligatures to prevent the rapid dispersion of the poison through the 
system, ammonia used as a wash and taken internally, and alcoholic stimu- 
lants. If there are no cuts or sores in the lips or mouth, the poison can be 
drawn out by suction; it is only when introduced into the blood that it is 
effective. On receiving a bite, the first thing to be done is to suck out as 
much of the poison as is possible, enlarging the wound with a knife for the 
purpose. At once a bandage should be put on so as to keep the venom 
from the rest of the body as long as possible. For a bite on the finger, it 
should be tied between the bite and the hand; another ligature should be 
placed around the wrist, and possibly a third around the arm; these should 
be loosened gradually and for an instant at a time, the aim being to con- 
trol the dispersion, and introduce the dangerous matter into the circulation 
little by little. It is well to cauterize immediately if possible. Washing 
the wound with ammonia is recommended, as also drinking a dilute mix- 
ture of ten or fifteen drops in a glass of water. Alcoholic stimulants are 
undoubtedly beneficial if not taken to excess, in which case they become 
sedatives, and assist rather than counteract the poison. 
The rattle of the Rattlesnake is formed of horny rings or shells, of which 
the first is firmly attached to the end of the tail, and each of the others 
loosely grasps that in front of it, and is itself grasped by the next in order, 
