174 
APPENDIX. 
In conclusion, I would remark that the experience derived from the 
cases recorded above, as well as from experiments on the lower 
animals, leads me to believe that the opinion hitherto entertained by 
the public, and shared to a great extent by the medical profession— 
viz., that death by snake-bite is one of comparative ease and freedom 
from pain, cannot apply to the victims of the Cobra and the 
Krait. 
The bite of these deadly reptiles is attended with much agonizing 
pain at the seat of the injury, extending towards the vital organs of 
the body, and is soon followed by a feeling of intoxication, which 
seldom proceeds to such a degree as to cloud the faculties of the 
mind. 
This condition is rapidly succeeded by paralysis of the lower ex¬ 
tremities, and of the muscles engaged in the process of respiration, 
giving rise to a most distressing feeling of impending suffocation, 
while, worse than bodily suffering, the patient, if not stupefied by drugs 
or alcohol, remains conscious almost to the last, and although aware 
that only a few more moments are left to him in this world, finds 
himself deprived of the power of speech, and unable to communicate 
his final wishes to his relatives and friends. 
(Signed) 
Moradabad, 15th August, 1873. 
Arch. H. IIilson, M.D., 
Officiating Civil Surgeon. 
P.S.—I may mention here, that on the 25th of last month, Lieut. 
Pollard, of the 45tli N.I., at this station discovered a Cobra in a hole 
in the wall of his stable, which, when killed, was found to have 
swallowed a large Krait. He sent the snakes over to me for inspection. 
The Cobra was 53 inches long, and the Krait 35 inches. The head 
and upper third of the Krait was digested, the bones only being left. 
but the body and tail were intact, and displayed the characteristic 
marks of the species. 
It is satisfactory to know that these horrible creatures kill each 
other. 
(Signed) Arch. H. Hilson, M.D., 
Officiating Civil Surgeon. 
No. XI. 
NOTE ON AN ELASTIC LIGATURE FOR THE TREATMENT 
OF SNAKE-BITE. 
An elastic cord or strap like that used in Esmarch’s bloodless 
operation, might be found more efficacious than the ordinary ligature. 
It should be applied in one or two places at intervals between the 
bite and the heart. This might advantageously be supplemented by 
the application of the elastic bandage, beginning from above and 
bandaging downwards. Thus further absorption or diffusion of the poison 
from the wound in the areolar tissue would be prevented. An instrument 
like a mechanical leech might then be applied over the punctures to 
suck out the poison with the blood, its exit being favoured by an 
incision made through the wounds. The part bitten might then be 
removed, or if the bite have been inflicted in the trunk of a limb, 
where amputation would be too extreme a measure, the entry of the 
poison into the system might be arrested; or so regulated (by occasional 
relaxations of the constrictions, which would be necessary to prevent 
gangrene of the part) as to admit of its gradual excretion by the 
eliminating functions of the body. I purpose to have elastic cords, 
bandage, and suction instruments made for the purpose. 
