The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-08-22
The Bite or u RattleSp nike.
TO THE EDITOR OF The HERALD.

Having noticed q communication in the HERALD
lately respecting the bite of the rattesnake and the
proper means to be used for preventing the i'll
effects arising from it, am induced to send you the
following by way of evidence of the value of some
of the remedies proposed.
In the year l649 made the overland Journey to
California, and while among the Choctaw Indians.
Oh tie borders of Arkansas, became acquainted
with very intelligent halfbreed belonging to that
tribe, who had been educated in one of the Western
cities, and with whom had considerable converse
ton on the subject under notice. He informed me
that Indians seldom kill the rattlesnake, and gene.
rally avoid it, but that they do from sort of su-
perstious regard for the reptile, and not through
fear, its bite not being regarded by them as very
serious matter, almost any Indian would consent
to be bitten by one for pint of whiskey, which he
would consider sufficient reward for his daring
as well as suitable antidote to the poison. He
mentioned several instances to prove the efficacy Of
this simple remedy, one of which remember made
a strong impression on my mind at the time, and
being somewhat characteristic ofthe race to which
he belonged, will here relate
II seems that one of the ChOctaws had been
visiting some others of his tribe and had i'm
bioed rather freely of " fire water" His natural
instinct for destruction becoming developed under
its influence he sailed forth on his way to his
lodge, vowing, as he did so, that he would kill any
thing he might meet. In the course of his journey
he discovered large rattlesnake which lay coiled
in his path. Obvious of the danger he was incur
ring but not of his vow, he boldly seized the rep
tile with his hands, and raising it to his mouth de-
liberate]y bit it in two. The snake, meanwhile, was
not idle, and before he had been sacrificed to the
Indians VOW, bad inflicted several severe wounds
with his fangs on his adversary's arm. The battle
ended the Indian FASTENED on and shortly reaching
his own lodge, took large draught of whiskey, and
was soon entirely under its influence. The poison
had begun to work, aud his arm was soon dreadfuiIy
swollen, but the agreeable remedy counteracted
its effects, and in the course of few days the
swe cling subsidized and no further inconvenience
was felt from the daring encounter. My informant
added Chat, when the foolhardy fellow became
sober, he made more sensible vow, that he would
never make such foolish one again.
Shortly after hearing this narrative I was wit
ness myself of the similar good effects Of essential
iy the same treatment. The party with whom
was travelling had with them large mastif, which
was often of service in guarding the camp. One
morning one of the men took the dog with him for
the purpose OF hunting up some Of the stray mules.
AS he was walking through the high grass he saw
at his feet rattlesnake coled, ready for spring.
back but the dog, being at his side kept on uncon
scious of the danger, and the next moment received
the fangs of the snake in his under lip fastening
back to the camp the related what had befallen
the dog, which Immediately began to exhibit the
effects of the bite In less than half an hour his
Whole throat and head were sw oen to twice their
natural size, and he exhibited symptoms Of the
greatest distress restlessly running about and viii
considered hopeless one, but still it was thought
worth while to make effort to save HIM Ac-
cordingly his mouth was held open by two of the
men, while third poured down his throat about
half pint of brandy, with two or three spoonfus
OF ammonia mixed with it. The poor brute made
more wry faces than some of the lockers on would
have done at the dose, and struggled hard to get
away from it, but was held till it had all gone
down his throat, when he was considered as being
on the sick list, and taken into one of the wagons
The swelling continued to increase for several
hours until it seemed as if his skin could not posi-
bly, withstand the pressure. 1t did, however, and
tie next day the dog evidently better, and kept
on improving the swelling gradually diminishing,
TILL atthe end of four or five days, he was able to
tot along with the other quadrupeds as well as
usual.
From the favorable termination ofthis case which
came under my own observation, as well as from
what have related in the beginning of this article
am satisfied that, if were bitten by rattlesnake.
or any other venomous reptile, | should feel much
less anxiety about the result if were provided
with bottle of good brandy, whiskey, or any other
alcoholic liquor, especially with the addition of
little ammonia, than | should ii none of these sim
| pie antidotes were at hand. W. CHILTON.