Snake-poison literature. 41 



tions for the administration and application of the 

 antidotes were amusingly absurd. For extraordi- 

 nary cures of snaJce-hite, the Panseurs (snake- 

 doctors)of St.Lucia certainly excell all others. The 

 Government of India, observing in the Immigra- 

 tion Report of St. Lucia for the year 1879, that Thepansems 

 reference was made to the successful treatment 

 of snake-bite, asked for further information on 

 the subject. And the result is a most extra- 

 ordinary contribution to snake-poisoning litera- 

 ture. All of the contributors, with the exception 

 of the medical officer, appear to be quite satisfied 

 that the panseurs are really able to cure snake- 

 poisoning. One gentleman remarks, however, 

 that " It is my impression that when the bite 

 is inflicted by a large vigorous serpent in such a 

 manner that the venom is deposited within a 

 blood-vessel or deep in the tissues, or, as some- 

 times happens, in the trunk, death is inevitable." 

 He makes the extraordinary statement that he 

 believes that the bite of the "Fer de Lance" 

 is more fatal to whites than to the black or 

 coloured people. The medical officer after point- 

 ing out some of the conditions under which the 

 snake may not have inflicted an effectual bite, 

 remarks, " It is important to bear the above in 



