rattlers and copperheads also helps to distinguish them but is a misleading 
character because it is also found in boas and pythons. 
In southerly areas of the United States, and in the tropics, where 
weather conditions tend to reduce the resistance-value of leggings, the best 
possible protection is a pair of leather puttees thick enough to be impreg¬ 
nable against the fangs of any snake. In the southern United States, it is 
wise also to be wary of hollow tree trunks. They serve in many cases as 
the hiding places of venomous reptiles. 
First Aid Kits for persons travelling in snake infested regions should 
contain a suction-bulb snake-bite outfit, as illustrated, and two tubes of the 
anti-venin for combatting the venoms of the snakes of the region. 
If Bitten 
Don’t give whisky or alcoholic drinks of any kind. Alcoholic stimu¬ 
lants will only step up the circulation of the blood, hastening the action 
of the venom. 
Don’t burn or cauterize the wound. 
Don’t use any of the so-called “folklore” remedies. They are useless, 
and in many cases downright harmful. 
Don’t apply any whole grains of potassium permanganate to the 
wound. However, a weak solution may be made with water and washed 
into the incisions. This will neutralize any venom the solution reaches. 
(1) The victim should be encouraged to remain as calm as possible. Ex¬ 
citement will only send the blood racing to the heart, and speed the 
absorption of the venom. He should be reminded that the bites of 
American snakes are rarely fatal, especially with any kind of treat¬ 
ment. Get the patient to a hospital or to a doctor as soon as possible. 
In the meantime — 
(2) A tourniquet should be applied just above the bite, between it and 
the heart. Cord, rubber tubing, or even a necktie will do. Pressure 
should not be so great as to stop blood circulation entirely. The idea 
is to halt the flow of lymph. Loosen the tourniquet for a minute at 
fifteen minute intervals. 
(3) Connect the two fang punctures with a single incision of a clean, 
sharp-bladed instrument, preferably a single-edged safety razor blade. 
104 
