IV, PREFACE. 



attitude of the scientific mind can justly be maintained 

 only with regard to cases limited in number and in 

 which the symptoms left room for doubt as to their 

 final result, but in view of the formidable and con- 

 stantly increasing records of cures from snakebite 

 during the last three years, it is, to say the least of 

 it, unreasonable. 



The demand for experiments on animals, in proof 

 of the correctness of his theory, the writer does not 

 feel called upon to satisfy, for, apart from the theory 

 proving itself by explaining all the symptoms the 

 snake-poison produces, it has also stood the test of 

 practical application. It is proven to be correct by 

 the success of the antidote to which it led, and which 

 is the logical outcome of it. After finally attaining a 

 goal one has striven for, it is quite unnecessary to 

 retrace one's steps with a view of ascertaining whether 

 the road that has led up to it is the right and proper one. 



By a fortuitous concurrence of circumstances, 

 however, even this demand for experiments shall be 

 satisfied in these pages. The writer published his 

 theory of the action of snake-poison in May, 1888, 

 after having practised the strychnine treatment for some 

 years and thoroughly satisfied himself of its efficacy. 

 In the latter part of 1888 accounts of Feoktistow's 

 researches reached this country. His final conclusions 

 to the effect that snake-poison is solely a nerve poison, 

 that it does not destroy protoplasm, and has no effect 

 whatever on the blood to which its destructive potency 



