New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1854-07-19
Effects Of a snake-Bite.

One of the most remarkable recoYeries from
the effects of a snake bite is related of DR..
Peppig, a traveller, who has written an agreea-
BILE work on Chill and Peru. On one occasion
he lived for about five month sat Pampayaco. in
Peru, solely occupied with the increase of his
collections, in which he was very successful.
Christmas was at hand, and some preparations
were made, as well as the circumstances in that
lonely place would permit, to keep the festival,
even though alone. But fortune had otherwise
determined for, going out on the evening of
the sd of December, to cut down D tree that
was in blossom, he suddenly felt pain in his
instep, like that caused by q drop Of burning
sealing wax; and, looking around, saw a very
large serpent close to him, coiled up, with his
head erect, seeming rather to be satisfied with
what it had done than to be meditatinga Sc
Gond attack From a sudden impulse he at
tempted to kill the serpent, which he at length
succeeded in doing; and then, recoilectiDg his
own danger, hastened to the house, which was
about FIVE hundred PAGES distant. But his foot
had swollen considerably before he reached it.
Happily, Creole inhabitant of Pampayaeo,
who was at hand, proceeded to the operation
though the Indians, who were called in, after
looking at the snake, declared the wound to be
mortal, with the composure that is usual to
them, and, probably, originates in their being
accustomed to n nature which daily threatens
visible or supposed dangers. s413.
blue spot, an inch broad, and two black
points, resembling the punctnre of a needle,
quite cold, and almost without feeling, showed
where the bite had been inflicted. There being
no instrument, the skin was pierced with q
packing needle, and cut away in q circle to the
muscles; but the knife employed was so unlike
that of a surgeons that it gave considerable
pain Black blood flowed copiously, from it !;
for a large vein had, perhaps fortunately, been
divided. The most painful part of the opera
ton was the application of a pieceof gold coin,
heated red hot; because, according to the su-
perstitious notions of the Peruyians, silverfor
iron does harm Meanwhile the general pain
increased SO much, such frequent fainting fits
ensued, that it was 50 probable that death would
| follow that no time was to be lost. Our travel
| er wrote q few lines with a lead pencil, to bid
| adeu to his friends in Lima and in his distant
| home. He urged those around him to forward
his collections and papers according to his di-
| rections, and promised them that they should
| have the rest of mis- efieets. Having thus
arranged his worldly affairs, and reached-per-
| haps for the last time-his wretehed bed. all
around seemed involved in night, and as he be-
| came insensible the pain diminished.
| Long after midnight he recovered from his
| lethargy, and the yigor of youth obtained the
victory; for q burning fever, "a profuse perspi-
ration, and peculiar and severe shooting pain
in the wounded limb, were indications of safety.
| But Storm nOWleu IN tne IoTeSb, WHICH Ill III
secured place in the leaf-thatch could not re-
sist, and large drops fell upouithe sufferer. With
much difficulty he succeeded in moving his burn
ing head out of the way, but his body was so
swelled that it was almost impossible to move.
No friendly hand was near to present q cooling
beverage or to prevent the rain from entering.
| The Indian who had been left by the others to
watch, convinced that death had taken place,
and seized with superstitious fear, had long be-
fore fled to his companions 1t was not till
morning that curiosity attracted some persons
who relieved him from his painful situation.
The succeeding day passed in agony. for . large
wound had been formed, and some Indications Of
the poison long remained. eE !.
"a fortnight elapsed" says the Doctor, g be-
fore was able, with the assistance Of an Indi-
an, to quit my bed, land stretched on the skin
of an ounce, before the door of my hut, again to
enjoy the pure air and more cheerful prospect
II was lovely, mild morning several trees Of
the most beautiful kind hadsblossomed during
my imprisonment, and now looked inyitingly
from the neighboring wood The gay butter
flies sported familiarly around, and the voices
of the birds sounded cheerfully from the trees
AS if desireus to reconcile its faithful disciple
and make him forget what he had suffered, ma
t,,,.a ,,r,ao r..1 ;,, most txiynincr freas