44 THE LAND-MARKS OF 



any person so treated ever recovers from the 

 effects of the treatment. We find mentioned 

 no fewer than four articles which have a reputa- 

 tion in India, namely, arsenic (as given in the 

 Tanj ore- pill), opium (opium eaters are supposed 

 to be proof against snake-poison), alcohol, 

 and ammonia. Over stimulation in a case of 

 snake-poisoning can only expedite the absorption 

 of the poison, which, it should be our aim to 

 prevent being taken up into the general circu- 

 lation. Ammonia, like alcohol, is only a 

 stimulant — not an antidote. Hence, in a true 

 case of poisoning it is not only useless but hurt- 

 ful. But to return to the " panseurs " of St. 

 Lucia. One gentleman writes : — " I cannot state 

 with certainty what is generally the exact 

 course of treatment observed, ' panseurs ' evincing 

 a disinclination to give definite information on the 

 subject. In almost every instance they have 

 acquired the knowledge from Africans who have 

 charged heavily for transmitting it. Fathers 

 have bequeathed the information thus obtained 

 to their sons, so that a family for many genera- 

 tions have been acknowledged as professional 

 ' panseurs'; consequently a knowledge of the 

 kind, which, as a rule, is a source of pecuniary 



