THE POISONOUS TEEEESTEIAL 



SNAKES OE OUE BEITISH INDIAN 



DOMINIONS AND HOW TO 



EECO&NISE THEM. 



(Reprinted from papers which appeared in the Bombay Natural 

 History Society's Journal by special request of the Inspector- 

 General of Civil Hospitals, Central Provinces, and others.) 



By Major P. Wall, I.M.S., G.M.Z.S. 



Inteoductoey Eemaeks. 



During the last decade a vast advancement in our knowledge of 

 snake venoms has been acquired, both in the province of toxicology 

 and in the all-important one of therapeutics. 



Whilst many observers have been engaged in the intricate, 

 laborious, and minute researches connected with the investigation 

 of the toxic properties of various venoms, very little, if any, advance 

 has been achieved in that equally important and sister branch of 

 the subject which deals with the identification of snakes, and 

 especially with the distinction of the poisonous from the non- 

 poisonous varieties. 



In the treatment of snake-bite these two fields, though very 

 distinct, are mutually interdependent. It is of little use to have 

 the knowledge derived from one set of investigators at one's finger's 

 ends, and its fruits — viz., antivenene — to hand in all our hospitals, 

 if the medical attendant is incompetent to recognise a poisonous 



