THE POISONOUS SNAKES OF INDIA. 103 



hasmorrhages, or from blood-poisoning the effects of any invading 

 germs that have gained entry into the local wounds. This state 

 of affairs, however, need not necessarily prove fatal. 



Local Signs of Daboia Poisoning.* 



The local effects in daboia poisoning are usually very severe. 

 Extravasations of blood are likely to occur in the neighbourhood 

 of the punctures, the various tissue cells are destroyed by the 

 virulence of the poison, and a slough forms which when separated 

 leaves a deep ragged ulcer. 



(1) Pain. — Where venom has been injected pain is an almost 

 certain symptom. It is burning or stinging in character, often 

 extremely acute and it comes on immediately. It is possible that 

 the stings of certain other creatures such as scorpions, spiders, 

 hornets, etc., might be as severe, and as rapidly produced ; but if 

 pain is experienced only to the degree normally met with in 

 ordinary wounds from mechanical agency, it is highly probable 

 that poison has not been introduced. The pain due to the poison 

 may be masked by that produced by surgical interference, that 

 evoked by local remedies of a caustic nature such as acids, ajid 

 permanganate of potash, and also that occasioned by ligatures 

 which is usually very distressing. 



(2) Swelling. — Snake venom is an extremely powerful local 

 irritant, and as such causes swelling in the injured part almost 

 at once, similar to that seen after the bite of a mosquito. Swelling 

 to an equal degree, and as rapidly manifested might result from 

 insect or scorpion stings. If however no trace of swelling accom- 

 panies the wound, there is good reason to consider no poison has 

 gained entry, and the longer the interval since the bite the greater 

 the justification for assuming a non-venomised wound. 



(3} Bleeddng. — One of the chief effects of snake venom, 

 whether Colubrine or Viperine in quality, is its power of reducing 

 the coagulability of the blood and this fact affords very valuable 

 information as to whether or not venom has been introduced into 

 a wound, since when it has gained entry a constant oozing of 

 thin bloody serum results which often continues for many hours. 



* These sigris are seen in most cases of Viperine poisoning, and to a less degree 

 in Colubrine poisonings of every kind. 



