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EFFECTS OF TIIE BITES OF VIPERS. 
water and soap, after which I applied astringent washes. At this 
time the poor animal could not stand, her frame being so much 
debilitated ; but at the end of a week she contrived to support 
herself when helped up, and after that she gradually recovered, 
and is now a fine thriving cow. 
THE EFFECTS OF THE BITES OF VIPERS. 
By M. Chanel, Bo tug. 
The district which I inhabit conceals a great number of vipers 
in its forests and marshes, the dangerous effects of whose bites 
often come under notice. I select the two following cases : — 
1817, Aug. 1. — Two young mares, each of them with a colt at 
her foot, lying by the side of a marsh, were bitten by a viper, 
near and a little anterior to the udder. On the following day 
there was on the belly of each a swelling, reaching from the 
teats to the xiphoid cartilage. One of them was put under my 
care. The swelling, of an cedematous character, was very hot ; its 
elevation was more than an inch and a half, and it was extending 
backwards along the inside of the thigh. She had a great deal 
of fever, refused her food, and walked with difficulty. The 
wound inflicted by a viper was easily recognized. The secretion 
of milk was suppressed. I freely lanced the tumour; a consi- 
derable quantity of red serous fluid escaped. Two setons were 
passed along the whole course of the tumour. The swelling was 
well rubbed with an ammoniacal liniment. 
3d . — The tumour has very much increased. I passed the 
firing-iron all round it, and somewhat deeply in several places. 
Ammoniacal frictions were applied to the udder and thighs. 
4th, 3th, and 6th . — Very little change. 
7th . — There is considerable discharge of serum from the wounds 
made by the iron. Continue the friction. 
8th . — Diminution of the swelling. The setons are suppurat- 
ing. Bitter tonics were administered, and gentle exercise pre- 
scribed. 
1 3th . — The swelling has disappeared, but a very large tumour 
has formed in the situation of the setons. This subsided after 
the administration of two purgatives, and the mare was discharged 
on the 19th. 
The other mare was not submitted to any medical treatment. 
The under part of the belly, the teats, and the whole of the hind 
limbs, were dreadfully swelled, and the mare died on the 5th of 
August, but apparently suffering very little pain. 
