200 OPHIDIANS. 
periments with it gave negative results, and Dr. S. Weir 
Mitchell was compelled to consider it of no value whatever 
as an antidote. 
Injections of Bromine have been successfully made, and 
they also have been negative in results. 
Injections of Iodine, although highly recommended under 
the patronage of the Smithsonian Institute, have given no 
better proofs of efficacy in counteracting the effects of the 
poison, 
Dr. 8. Weir Mitchell says: “ Profound drunkenness is a 
condition of sedation and not of excitement, and yet the whole 
object of using Alcohol in snake-bites has been among rational 
men to stimulate and not to lull or depress the system. In 
fact it is well known that persons who were at the time dead 
drunk, or nearly so, have been bitten by Rattlesnakes, and 
have obtained thereby no immunity from the effects of the 
bite.” 
Dr. Brainerd, who is opposed to the use of stimulants in 
Crotalus-bite, thinks the evidence in its favor insufficient, and 
thus sums up his argument against its utility: “When mixed 
with alcohol the venom is rapidly fatal if inoculated.” 
Dr. 8. Weir Mitchell concludes by recommending the in- 
halation of fumes of warm alcohol or ether. 
An interesting fact in connection with the use of the Tan- 
jore pill is that it is always recommended to be accompanied 
by rubbing a fowl’s liver on the bitten part! Who shall say 
that the bile absorbed into the wound from the liver did not 
antidote, partially or wholly, the venom in the blood, and 
for which virtue is aceredited to the arsenic of the “ pill?” 
The Indians in the Chocé (valley of the River Atrato) dis- 
trict use most frequently a plant called Flor de Gallo, Cocks- 
flower ; its botanical characteristics are : 
