The sun., 1878-11-06
FIGHTS WIN THE COBRA.
Evidences OF the Existence OF sa Aatidote tn
that serpenrs Poison.

To THE EDITOR OF The SUN-Sir: IL IL
generally admitted that the mongooso II bitten
by cobra is as certain 10 suffer death any
other animal unless II finds for itself an anti
doto very quickly. Numerous experiments
have becn tried ia which the mouGoose. having
been bitter has run OF into n garden. and there
certainly arc instances in which II has recov-
cred. This has led medical men TO study the
miracle" as II is termed in the article that ap-
peHrsd IN TIE Sun. credited 10 the London
Dai'y Telegraph,
II has long Gsan a controversy whether thern
is any real antdoie to tho poison Of this ven
onious snake. because the discovery 81 an anti
dote would be ot immense importance 10 man
kind No less than between one and two thou
sand persons have died annually In India alone
The moncoose has been usually selected Tor
experiments because Of its known deadly On
nifty ~ snakee. Ii has been supposed by mHny
that tn" mongNo-o finds some root that acts IA
an antidols. Its traclabiiity enables man to
train IL md make II a household pet. and close
observation Of It's habits has led many a young
physician 70 risk the life of hs iavorite in such
encounters and even to Kill II after II has recov
ered from tho eff-"ts ot the poison in order 10
subject the contents of the stomach 20 analvsis.
Unfortunately IL almUSf invariably happens m at
the mongoose has had time to digest its food
completely before reappenrlug. SO that while
the TACT rcmans that the little animal RECEIVERS
from the bite. tho means OF recovery remaips
mystery. Not long ago. in tuitack. in the
prov ince ot Oris-a. in Inala, where WAS quar-
tered. n cobra was caught alive in n trap and
seconds having been provided. the cobra and a
mungoosc were placed IN principals on tho
ground. The imprisoqed cobra was shaken
nrnla when. espylng its adversary, II raised it.
srli with iis head thrown forward, about a foot
and half from the ground, curving its head
and eNpanding its hood until the marks Ike
spectaces over its eyes were clearly visible.
The mongoose immediately faced the cobra.
and took In the situation; For an instant both
watched one another. The tongue OF the SER
pcnt began 20 shoot out, and the silence was
broken only by It's Kissing. BY degrees tho
mongoose crout closer and closer to the
snake. rs ilouGh entcing him to spring.
tween them meanwhile. the snake making
/ feints rs though 10 dart. When the cobra ho-
cuine litile tired, and thought the monsoos'
was within reach. he sprang forward. Quick
as lightning the mongoose drew back and. as
! the snake recovered jumped ana seized him by
/ his neck, not. however, before the snake had
| conared, But the mongooae kept his grip until
| the snake was dead. in spite Of tho struggle.
| and then no lay down seemingly exhausted.
! Two punctures were found in his body. and for
| n short time he lay in a state o! torpor He
! then stole away into the garden. tracked bv n
! native servant, who was ordered TO look after
| him and sec whittier In went. As though JoHl-
| Gus Of the secret he possessed, the mongooSe
| ate notsing. and nj night got away under cover
| of dnrSnHss All search proved unnyalling; II
| was feared that no WIS either lost or dead.
| Three days later. however. he turned up gay
| and well.
This Experiment was followed by second in
! Bcrhampur. the cOmhntnnis being conhned Ia a
! walled enclosure without any vegetation therein
| ierpd mora severely in the fight. Four pune
lures were found IN his body. and ho lay for
| nearly nall an hour after the death of the snake
| 10 n state Of torpor Then he began TO run
about 10 find an outlet from the enclosure. Food
aud water were left Tor him. but he did moi
/ touch them, and on tho following morning wnt
/ Ouriod in the ground. hs though digging Tor Tho
! roots lie required Tor his cure, VIM. *.