2l6 
L April, 
On the Poison of Serpents . \ 
tropical congeners. Yet the viper does more damage than 
is commonly supposed. The question has been repeatedly 
laid before the Society of Acclimatisation. In 1859 a com- 
mission was nominated to examine into the matter; an 
inquiry was instituted, and in 1863 a report was drawn up 
by M. Soubeiran. From the evidence collected during these 
four years it results that if some departments do not seem 
to produce vipers (Nord, Haute-Saone, &c.), and if in others 
they are rare (Meuse, Vosges, Bouches de Rhone, Oise, 
Correze), there are others where these reptiles swarm to 
such an extent as to constitute a real danger for the inha- 
bitants of the country (Vendee, Loire-Inferieure, Haute 
Marne, Lot, Cote d’Or). Here rewards have at intervals 
been offered for the destruction of vipers. These measures 
have generally produced good results. In Haute Marne, in 
the year 1856, the number of these reptiles brought in to 
the local authorities was 17,415. In six years the destruc- 
tion of 57,045 venomous serpents was officially certified. 
“ Unfortunately the enquiry led to no precise information as 
to the number and the nature of the accidents caused by the 
bite of vipers. It appears merely that our large domestic 
animals recover very rapidly, and without requiring any 
treatment, whilst sheep and goats frequently perish if they 
do not receive prompt assistance. It is often the same with 
dogs, especially if bitten in the nose. But even after a cure 
they often remain all their life long extremely weak, and 
suffer from defeats of sight and hearing, which render them 
unfit for hunting. 
“It has long been known that an adult man, if bitten by a 
viper, may recover spontaneously. But we know also that 
in this case the phenomena, both local and general, are more 
pronounced, and very often lead to a fatal termination. In 
any case they are ordinarily grave and painful. There is 
room to hope that the means of cure discovered by Dr. de 
Lacerda will enable the symptoms to be arrested promptly 
and with certainty. The process succeeds as well with ani- 
mals as with men. 
“ In describing his process Dr. de Lacerda insists on the 
necessity of preparing the solution of permanganate at the 
moment when it is to be used. He makes up beforehand 
small packets of the salt, each containing o*i grm. (about 
1 i grains), and a flask containing 10 grms. of water. He 
obtains thus, at the required moment, a solution of the 
exadt strength needful. The injection is made by means of 
a Pravaz syringe. A ligature should be placed above the 
bite, and half a syringeful of the liquid should be injected 
