354 
ORDERS OF REPTILES— SERPENTS 
sharp at the point. A slender tube traverses 
the axis of the fang, from the root almost to the 
point, for the passage of the venom. Around 
each fang is a flexible sheath of tough, white skin, 
evidently for its protection. 
The fang of a diamond-backed rattlesnake — 
the largest species — is about an inch in length. 
The small bone in which it is set at the root 
(maxillary) is so hinged by tough ligaments 
attaching to the roof of the mouth that it has 
some freedom of motion. When the jaws are 
closed, the fangs lie against the roof of the 
mouth. When the serpent strikes an enemy 
with the intention of poisoning it, the mouth 
is opened widely, the pterygoid bone pushes 
hard against the maxillary, and the sheathed 
fangs are thrown forward until they look like 
great hooks of white skin. 
A serpent cannot be rendered permanently 
harmless by the removal of its fangs, because the 
fangs are constantly renewed. Each operating 
fang is backed up by a series of smaller ones, of 
different sizes, growing and awaiting their turn 
to do duty, and drop away. An adult fang is 
shed every six or eight weeks. The old tooth 
does not drop out until the new one is close 
beside it, duly connected with the poison gland, 
and ready for duty. Then the old fang either 
drops out, or is left sticking in the next animal 
bitten. 
Even if fangs were pulled out, the poison sac 
would remain, and a scratch from the jaw teeth, 
duly poisoned, would endanger the life of the 
patient. 
In striking to do mischief, the function of the 
lower jaw is to get under the part to be bitten, 
and press it up firmly against the attack of the 
fangs. The mechanism by which the fangs are 
thrown forward consists of a series of levers, 
and the special student will be greatly interested 
in the published drawings which illustrate its 
details. It is admirably shown in “Amphibia 
and Reptilia,” by Dr. H. Gadow. 
Effect of the Poison. — It is obviously im- 
possible in a work of this nature to enter into 
this subject at length. In lieu of this, we will 
offer a very brief digest of what we believe to be 
absolute facts. These have been gleaned with 
care from several sources, but I make special 
acknowledgment to Dr. Leonhard Stejneger’s 
presentation of the subject in his admirable 
monograph on “The Poisonous Snakes of North 
America.” 1 
There are two ways for the introduction of 
snake-poison into the system of a warm-blooded 
animal: (1) through the blood, by direct connec- 
tion with a vein or artery, and (2) through the 
skin and muscles, one or both. 
Although some of the great investigators differ 
somewhat on this point, it now seems reasonably 
certain that the manner in which snake-poison 
acts is by paralyzing the circulation of the blood, 
the breathing organs, the nerves, and even the 
digestive organs. The effect on the blood is a 
decrease in the strength and rapidity of the flow. 
In the nerves (after the first period of excite- 
ment), drowsiness ensues, which in fatal cases 
often lasts until death. The breathing is grad- 
ually diminished in strength and volume. The 
brain is usually the last organ to succumb. Dr. 
Stejneger’s conclusion is that “the death which 
follows the introduction of the venom into the 
circulation must be attributed to gastro-intestinal 
apoplexy, and the stupefying action exercised 
directly upon the nervous system.” 
Venom introduced directly into the blood acts 
with great rapidity. When introduced hypoder- 
mically, through the skin and muscles, its action 
is much slower, and if the case is treated with 
great vigor from the very start, the patient has 
a fair chance to recover. Except from cobra 
bites, very many do recover. 
The most dangerous snake bites are those in- 
flicted upon the neck or face. The least dan- 
gerous are those upon the feet, the legs below the 
knees, and the hands and forearms. 
Treatment. — There is small need to apolo- 
gize for recording here the fundamental principles 
that should be carried out in case of accident. 
In the first place, any one who expects to cam- 
paign in a country infested with poisonous snakes 
should expend $5.00 in the purchase of a small 
pocket-case containing a hypodermic syringe, a 
bottle of chromic acid 1 to 100, and another 
of liquid strychnine. Only the boldest and most 
enterprising travellers ever get beyond the sphere 
of influence of whiskey and brandy. 
During the last ten years, medical men have 
been conducting investigations and making ex- 
periments to produce a universal antidote for 
1 Government Publication. For sale by the 
Bureau of Public Documents, Washington, D. C. 
