SNAKES COl,;riTTING SUICIDE 



It has "been stated, and suDstantir-ted. in at least one instance, thot 

 rattlesnakes are susceptible to their ovi/n r)':ison, and that death has ensued 

 from the effects of their self-inflicted wounds. There is a possibility, 

 however, that in sxich cases the fang maj:' have punctured the spinal cord or 

 some vital organ, and that death, therefore, is not invariably due to the 

 poison. Snaices are not likely to bite themselves except when severely 

 injured or -.vhen infuriated and unable to wreak vengeance on the tormentor. 

 That rattlesnakes may be killed by the bites of other "ooisonous species of 

 snakes has been demonstrated by experiment with captive specimens. 



TEEATIviE^IT FOR BITES OE NOHTH JLMESICM FOISOIIOUS SITAKES 



The follov.'ing is a combin.ation of recomruendations from publications 

 by Drs. R. li. Hutchison and Dudley Jackson (sc-e bibliography): 



The chief "orecaution in case of snake bites is to prevent systemic 

 absorption of a fatal dose of venom from the quantity contained in the 

 tissues immediately surrounding the wound. To accomplish this, caction 

 must be prompt. Local treatment is of grctest importance, ind in addition 

 the patient should be kept ns quiet as possible. 



Don'ts for the Victim 



Don't ran or get overhe."ted. Don't take any alcoholic stimulants. 

 Circulatio .1, increased by exercise or by alcohol, serves to distribute the 

 poison much more "rapidly thro^igh the body. Don't injure the tissues by 

 injecting potassium pennanganate, which is now known to be of no value as 

 an antidote. Do not depend upon reputed snake-bite "cures" commonly used. 

 Do not cauterize the area, around the bite with burning gunpowder, strong 

 acids, or in any other way. 



What to Do First 



Apply a ligature, or tourniquet', a few inches above the. bite. For 

 this purpose use a rubber garter, a piece of sma.ll rubber tubing, a hand- 

 kerchief, cord, or even a shoestring, which can be tightened by inserting 

 a stick and twistirxg. Do not bind the limb too tightly, but just enough to 

 retard circulation rety.rning through the veins toward the heart. The sole 

 object of the tourniquet is to delay absorption of the poison into the 

 general circulation, but if it is applied too tightly or kept on too long, 

 gangrene is likely to set in, with resulting destruction of the flesh in 

 the affected rver^^ It is important, therefore, to release the tourniquet 

 every 10 or 15 minutes for about a minute at a time. 



Other First-aid Measures 



Mak:e a cross-cut incision at each f.-mg m.ark. For this purpose use 

 a sharp clean iznife or razor blade and make the cut all the way through the 

 skin, that is, about 1/4 incn deep and l/s inch long, preferably connecting 

 the fajig marks. Suction should then be applied to the affected spot for at 

 least half an hour, aJid the more blood and 1^/mph that can be extracted the 



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