1873.] of the Poison of some Indian Venomous Snakes. 359 



But on that which is involved in the 2nd, and partly in the 4th, much 

 is still required to be done ; and therefore on the question of the nature 

 and physiological action of the virus on life, and the application of that 

 knowledge in the treatment of those poisoned, the following investigations 

 have been made. 



That the subject is one of interest in a purely scientific as well as 

 sanitary point of view we believe will be admitted ; for it is as important to 

 humanity as to science that the nature and properties of a poison which, 

 in India alone, probably destroys over 20,000 human beings annually 

 should be determined. 



We are aware that these figures may excite astonishment and even mis- 

 trust ; but the sources from which the information is derived place it, we 

 think, beyond a doubt, being derived from official returns for the year 

 1869, supplied to Dr. Fayrer by the Government of India. 



He has received reports from Bengal, the North-west Provinces, Pun- 

 jaub, Oude, Central Provinces, Central India, Bajpootana, British Bur- 

 mah, showing the loss of life from snake-poisoning in those provinces in 

 the year 1869. 



These records represent, it is true, only a portion of India, as the 

 Madras and Bombay Presidencies, as well as other parts of India, are not 

 included. Had similar information been obtained from these provinces, 

 the list of mortality would doubtless have been much larger ; as it is, the 

 number of deaths is perfectly appalling, and the subject merits considera- 

 tion, with the view of providing, if possible, some remedy. 



He has roughly classified the deaths under the headings of the snakes 

 that inflicted the fatal wound ; but the records are rather vague on this 

 point, and the information not perhaps always very reliable. Still they 

 are sufficiently explicit to make it clear that, in order of destructiveness, 

 the cobra (Naja tripudians) occupies the first place on the list ; the krait 

 {Bungarus cceruleus) the second place ; whilst under the headings of 

 " other snakes " and " unknown " must be included many deaths due to 

 cobra, Bungarus cceruleus, Ophi&phagus, Daboia, Echis carinata, Bungarus 

 fasciatus, Hydrophidce, and some perhaps to the Trimeresuri, though, as 

 to the last, there is reason to believe that deaths from their bites are 

 comparatively, very rare. 



The total number of deaths recorded therefore stands thus : — 



Bengal, including Assam and Orissa 6,645 



North-west Provinces 1,995 



Punjaub 755 



Oude 1,205 



Central Provinces 606 



Central India . 90 



British Burmah 120 



Total 11,416 



2g2 



