Sie BITE OF' A POISONOUS SNAKE 



correct: opinion of both', and to a6l accordingly, upon a plan of cure, 

 equally fixed and systeraatick, in this, as in any other disease, incident to 

 the human body ; a circumstance, it is to be hoped, that cannot but prove 

 of much future benefriPto^mankind, - 



In prescribing, and administering medicine for this disorder, much de- 

 cision and promptness are necessary, because its progress is so very 

 rapid. This is a point that cannot be too strongly impressed upon the 

 mind. Our remedy must be powerfully applied, before the vital powers 

 are so far gone as to become insensible of its effect. For this reason, 

 such stimuli as are of most immediate operation are to be preferred, and 

 the volatile alkali, on that account, is so particularly useful, as (no doubt,) 

 aether will be found to be. But whatever medicine is administered, it is to 

 Ibe given in large, and frequently repeated doses, until we perceive that 

 a favourable change is produced. The state of the skin, and of the pulse, 

 with the patient's remarks as to his feelings, are to be our guide, and to 

 dire6l our judgment in this ; for until a return of the natural warmth of 

 the skin, and an increase in the strength and quickness of the pulse 

 take place, we ought to push our remedies. And so far from consider- 

 ing the sickness at stomach as the consequence of giving medicine, and 

 therefore an obje6lion to our further doing so, it is the very reason why 

 we should continue a more powerful application of it ; because, the sick- 

 ness at stomach, being the e fie 61 of the debility induced by the poison^ 

 the continuance of it proves, that a sufficient stimulus has not been applied 

 to overcome this debility, and therefore more is necessary to produce that 

 end. In short, the stimulus must be proportioned to the degree of debi- 

 lity to be o¥ercorae ; and on the judgment with which this is done, de- 

 pends entirely our success in the cure. ";- 



