Snake Bites. 467 



The poison of the snake has an acid reaction and mixed with a 

 sohition of potash before inoculation it is rendered inert. If, 

 however, it is once inserted in the tissues the local use of pot- 

 ash and its exhibition by the mouth fail to prevent poisoning. 

 Certain snake venoms contain 20 per cent, of solid matter includ- 

 ing an alburaose to which a part of the potency must probably be 

 attributed. They retain their toxicity after prolonged exposure 

 to 68° C. (154.4° F-) 



The treatvie-dt of venomous snake bite mujst be both prompt 

 and energetic. In the case of the more deadly snakes death may 

 take place in a few minutes from collapse or the profound depres- 

 sion of the nerve centres. The application of a tourniquet to 

 retard the absorption of the venom is the first consideration. A 

 broad baud around the limb, tightly twisted by the aid of a stick, 

 should be kept on even after the appearance of toxic symptoms, to 

 reduce the amount of venom taken up to a limit that the system 

 may be able to deal with. A narrow, cord-like bandage is forbid- 

 den on account of the great tendency to local gangrene and 

 sloughing. Cauterization is untrustworthy because of the small- 

 ness and depth of the wound which it is impossible to follow with 

 certainty. And yet, if the direction of the fang can be reasonably 

 determined that may be advantageously followed by the hot iron, 

 a stick of caustic potash, silver nitrate or zinc chloride, or by one 

 of the mineral acids. The latter may be introduced through a 

 glass tube. In the absence of caustics, suction or wringing may 

 be resorted to. The person sucking the wound must have no 

 sores on lips nor gums and should wash out the mouth with a so- 

 lution of potassium permanganate or carbolic acid (5:100) after 

 each successive application of the lips. A safer method is to ap- 

 ply a large tube to the surface around the wound and suck on the 

 other end. Meanwhile the wounded tissues may be kneaded or 

 wrung to favor the extraction of the blood, lymph and venom. A 

 prompt and deep excision of the wounded tissue followed by suc- 

 tion is still more appropriate. Short of this, a free deep incision 

 across the wound in different directions, followed by suction or 

 wringing, may be resorted to. In any case local anti-venomous 

 applications to the wound .should be made. Ammonia has long 

 been advocated, but though, like potash antacid, it is quite as 

 painful and less penetrating, and its results are not such as to in- 



