162 INDIAN SNAKE POISONS, 



tained at once. In this, as in most other things, a 

 policy to have any effect must be persevered io. Seasons 

 fluctuate greatly, and though, of course, averages must 

 show in the end whether progress is being made, yet 

 increased accuracy in registration together with th& 

 varying nature of the climate, may prevent the result 

 being speedily manifest. 



It is sometimes stated that the loss of life from snake- 

 bite in India is exaggerated by the neighbours being 

 induced to return cases of murder as dyiug from this 

 cause. But it should be remembered that in all cases 

 of supposed snake-bite, the body is brought for exami- 

 nation to an English official, and the circumstances 

 undergo close scrutiny; whereas, if the death were 

 reported as being of a more usual nature no investiga- 

 tion would follow. It is hardly likely that murderers 

 would assign a cause which would at once challenge 

 inquiry. I have examined many bodies of persons 

 supposed to have died from snake-bite, and in all cases, 

 either from the blood, or from the wounded place 

 itself, by macerating it in water, I have obtained suffi- 

 cient poison to produce all the symptoms. Besides, »as 

 stated before, the appearances are quite characteristic. 

 There is no reason to suppose, therefore, that the loss of 

 life is in the least degree smaller than is represented. 

 But in regard to loss of property from destruction of 

 cattle and domestic animals, immense though^ it is 

 reported to be, it is probably but a small part of that 



