3go TlMEHRI. 
This chronic poisoning, as it may be called, frequently 
follows doses of smaller amount than those which are 
immediately lethal. 
As regards snake-bite therefore, it may be summed up, 
that while the various remedial applications such as 
ammonia, alcohol, permanganate of potash, etc., are of 
service in cases where but a small quantity of the poison 
has been inje6led, they are but of little use, if not indeed 
productive of positive harm, where a lethal dose of the 
poison has been received. The only certain treatment, 
then, for snake-bite rests with the application of the 
knife — a complete excision of the affected part being 
made immediately after the bite or as soon after as 
possible, while the tight bandage, or india-rubber ring, 
should be applied above the affected part to prevent the 
passage of the poison into the general circulation. In 
such cases, the parts operated upon should be thoroughly 
cleansed with a strong solution of caustic potash. 
Before the adoption of such drastic treatment, how- 
ever, it should be ascertained for a certainty that 
the bite has been given by an undoubtedly poisonous and 
dangerous snake. 
An interesting point brought to light by the series of 
experiments here referred to, is the fact of there being 
no physiological difference discoverable in the action of 
the poison of the true vipers and the crotaline or pit- 
vipers. Considering the marked physiological difference 
in the action of the Viperine and the Colubrine poison, 
this point is a noteworthy one. 
