PREVENTION, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT 2g 



' Snake poison causes disintegration of the red corpuscles 

 (hemolysis) and structural changes in the medulla with depression 

 of respiration and circulation. To obviate this, large doses of 

 strychnine, together with atropine, may be given. As much as one- 

 sixth grain of strychnine may be administered subcutaneously to a 

 medium-sized dog and repeated till slight muscular stiffness of jaw 

 or neck appear, as the drug is borne wonderfully. 



Alcohol should never be given in large amounts, but small and 

 frequent doses quiet the nervous system and, in concentration, stimu- 

 late the' heart. 



Bites of Rabid Animals. 



The virus of rabies (as is tetanus) is conveyed by the nerves 

 to the spinal cord and not by the lymph and vascular channels. 

 Therefore absorption is comparatively slow and cauterization is 

 advisable, even as late as twenty-four hours after the bite. The 

 actual cautery, free excision, or cauterization with fuming nitric 

 or other strong mineral acid, should be done in case the human is 

 bitten. 



Treatment of the human at one of the Pasteur institutes is then 

 always to be advised as soon as the animal inflicting the bite has 

 been proved rabid by observation, inoculation of rabbits from the 

 medulla of the suspected animal or by pathologic examination 

 (see Rabies). Attenuated virus for treatment is now sent from 

 Pasteur institutes to physicians. Treatment of rabid animals, or of 

 sound animals bitten by rabid patients, is undesirable. 



Bites and Stings of Insects. 



The free application of aromatic spirit of ammonia to the bite 

 is most useful. Formic acid in the stings of bees, wasps, and ants 

 is the chie'f poison and is neutralized by alkalies. So that in the 

 absence of aromatic spirit of ammonia, ammonia water or solutions 

 Of saleratus (baking soda) may be used. After the neutralization 



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