The cut should be approximately one-quarter of an inch deep, or in 
cases where an unusually large snake has been responsible for the bite, 
three-eighths of an inch deep. The blade should be sterilized before 
the operation with iodine, alcohol, or even the flame of a match. 
(4) Apply suction by means of the suction-bulb included in the snake-bite 
kit, or with the lips if necessary. The latter method should not be 
undertaken by anyone with sores in his mouth. Suction should be con¬ 
tinued for at least a half hour. 
(5) If anti-venin serum is available, use according to the instructions on 
the package. But in any case the suction operation should also be per¬ 
formed, as either of these techniques alone does not constitute a com¬ 
plete treatment. 
(6) If the swelling progresses up the limb, make additional incisions at 
the point of swelling, and repeat the suction treatment. The tourniquet, 
however, should always be kept above the swollen area. It is best to 
apply a second tourniquet in such cases, before removing the original 
one. 
(7) If the victim is faint, he should be given some strong coffee or tea. 
A great many people are bitten each year by harmless snakes; much 
undue excitement is caused. However, the bite of a venomous snake is un¬ 
mistakable since it causes a burning pain in the region of the bite within 
one to five minutes. After such an attack, a swelling develops within ten 
minutes. Without these symptoms there is' nothing to fear, and the bite 
may be treated as any other wound or ignored if the snake is small. 
It is interesting to note that snake venom has positive as well as nega¬ 
tive values. Persons afflicted with epilepsy, arthritis, asthma and cancer have 
responded to treatments employing snake venom in excessively minute 
doses. 
105 
