MEDICAL HINTS. 
213 
means of a hypodermic syringe. Some of the solution may be injected 
into the wound itself, or even a crystal of the drug may be pressed into 
the cut. 
It is best to keep a small bottle of the strong solution of permanganate 
always ready. 
Give spirits strong, that is, one tablespoonful to one of water; at least 
four such doses in the first hour. Ammonia may also be given. 
If the patient is heavy and stupid, give two tablets of strychnine 
(one-hundredth of a grain in each) in half a wineglassful of water, by the 
mouth; or dissolve two in twenty drops of water, and inject well beneath 
the skin into the muscles of the back. If there is no improvement 
within an hour, give two more tablets; and if necessary, one or two more 
in another hour. 
After tying up a limb for a poisonous bite, there will be great pain if 
the ligatures have been applied tightly; the parts will swell, become 
very dusky, and if the ligatures are left on too long, the blood supply 
will be cut off, and the parts will die. Therefore, when the ligatures 
begin to cause much pain, loosen the one next the injured part for ten 
seconds, then tie again at or near the same place, and loosen the other 
one for a similar period, and then.re-tie; repeat this about every 
fifteen minutes. In the course of two hours, both tapes may be taken 
off. The object of tying up is to prevent much of the poison getting 
into the system at once. 
The first thing is to tie up tightly ; next cut f reely , and suck or squeeze out 
as much blood as possible , then treat with drugs. 
(It is usually safe to suck a poisoned wound, but the mouth should be 
washed out immediately afterwards with a light purple solution of per¬ 
manganate of potash.) 
If the wounds are on the face, neck, or other spot which cannot be tied 
up, then it is best to cut out the part at once and wipe the wound well 
with the strong solution of permanganate. 
In the treatment of snake-bite, pure carbolic acid, ordinary caustic, a 
red-hot wire, or even a burning stick may be applied to the wounds 
when permanganate of potash cannot be obtained. In some cases, where 
no other treatment is available, it is advisable to explode a pinch of gun¬ 
powder over the place of injury, or even to blow the parts away with 
one’s gun. 
