DOCUMENTS 327 



II. — Case reported by Eobert J. Ashton, M.B., Kaschwa 

 Medical Mission, Mirzapur (N.W.P.). 



" A coolie, aged 27, was bitten in the right foot by a cobra at 

 5.30 a.m., on September 16, 1900. Half an hour later 10 c.c. of 

 antivenomous serum were injected subcutaneously into the left 

 forearm. The patient experienced great pain in the foot, torpor, 

 and great weakness. Recovery, without complications." 



III. — Case reported by Dr. Simond (Saigon). 



" Nguyen-Van-Tranc, an Annamese, aged 25, employed in the 

 Botanical Gardens at Saigon, was bitten at 10.30 a.m., on 

 March 11, 1899, by a cobra which had escaped from its cage. The 

 bite was inflicted on the palmar surface of the index finger of the 

 right hand, and the fangs had penetrated deeply. 



" This native, to whom a sensible comrade had applied a hgature 

 round the wrist, was brought to the Pasteur Institute three hours 

 later. He was drowsy, with drooping eyelids ; his speech was 

 difficult and almost unintelligible. Deglutition was impossible, 

 and ingurgitated liquids caused vomiting. The hand was greatly 

 swollen at the seat of the bite, and the oedema extended to the 

 forearm. There was partial anaesthesia of the skin. As soon as 

 the patient arrived, I gave a single injection, beneath the skin of 

 the flank, of three doses of serum, that is, 30 c.c. In the evening 

 I again injected 10 c.c. of serum. At 10 p.m. the general condition 

 of the patient seemed to be improving. Next morning he was less 

 depressed,' spoke more easily, and was able to swallow. Convales- 

 cence began from this moment ; the oedema and numbness of the 

 hand and arm, however, persisted for several days. 



" Recovery was complete on March 20. I have no doubt that 

 in this very serious case the antivenomous serum preserved the life 

 of the patient, since his condition was desperate when I saw him. 



" This is the second instance within four months of the success- 

 ful treatment of snake-bites at Saigon by Calmette's serum. In the 

 former case two natives were bitten by the same animal. One of 

 them, who permitted the injection of serum, which was performed 



