The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1886-11-13

morning, when the air IS raw and chilly,
a snake is languid, and will strike with
comparatively little energy, whereas
during the heat of the day it is active
and generally very fierce.
The circumstances of my case seemed
decidedly against me The tic polonga
had killed was at least thirty inches
long, and therefore capable of inhicting
a mortal wound it was fasting, and its
poison glands must consequently have
BEEN fully charged at the moment it bit
met was after 9 o'clock, and a very
hot day, and the bite on my wrist was
deep. The only point in my favor was
that was in excellent health. l knew
the awful gravity of my situation. and
was aware that unless some remedies
were applied Immediately, l should Ger
tainly be dead in three quarters of an
hour at the longest.
There was no surgeon or apothecary
within fifteen miles of my factory, but
| fortunately had some knowledge of
the proper method of dealing with such
cases as my own, having once seen
ryot being treated for snake bite by the
remedies | proposed to apply to myself
only | remembered with melancholy
interest that the unfortunate Hindoo
had died, Notwithstanding the unremit-
ting exertlons made TO save his life.
The treatment for snake bite is Iga-
ture of the limb above the wound, free
incision, sucking, cauterization, bathing
the wound with ammonia, and taking
ammonia or brandy internally. Remem-
bering these directions, rushed into
the bungalow and made very efficient
toHNiquet with walking stick and a
wet towel, which | passed round my
fore arm, effectually stopping the cir
culatlon. | also summoned my boy
Veerapen to my assistance, and as |
mad no ammonia in the house | or
dered him to open bottle of brandy
with all speed. Whilst Veerapen was
getting the cognac, | slashed nv wrist
freely all round the injured part with
my pocket knife, particularly probing
the punctures made by the serpent's
tangs, and as the blood spurted freely
from the wound | sucked it with the
vlgor and desperation of a man who
knows that a delay of only quarter of
d minute in eliminating the virus from
mis- system may seal his doom.
l noticed with horror that my arm
was swelling rapidly, and began to
experience difficulty in respiration,
which / knew was a most unfavorable
symptom. Some powerful excitant was
necessary Immediately to counteract
the effect of the poison, yet it seemed
as though Veerapen would never bring
the brandy, and called wildly to him
10 come to me. He ran into the room
with bottle Of the precious liquor in
his hand, but in his confusion he could
not find corkscrew, and he was too
much dazed and terrified by my mis-
fortune to think of the ready expedient
OF knocking off the neck of the bottle
However, | soon sent it flying. and
pouring out half tumbler of brandy,
drank it at gulp.
The spirit revived me, and thus
nerved to renewed action, babe Veer-
apen call the cook to bring some burn
ing sticks from tn, kitchen. With one
OF these glowing frebrands | scared my
bleeding and quivering flesh, never
f1inching under what in ordinary cir
cumstances would have been excruciat-
ing agony, but rather cherishing the pain
which was possible means of saving
my life. But l feared my case was past
all help, for was sensible that the con-
fractions of my heart were growing
very feeble, and respiration became
more and more difficult.
felt the keenest anguish, and l
knew that there remained only one final
stage, that of falling into faint before
death supcrvened.
lust as my senses were deserving me,
was able to clutch the bottle OF brandy,
and once more poured out a large guam
tity into the glass. With an effort l just
managed to raise it to my lips, and quail
fled the re-qulckening spirit, (which act
ed on my Frustrated nerves like magic
draught.
l rallied and with fierce determi-
nation to live, | braced my senses to-
gether for a final struggle with the po-
tent poison which was now coursing
like liquid fire through every vein in my
body. the brandy had no intoxicating
results, its ordinary effects being neu-
tralized by the virus in my body. The
giant Alcohol had for once to combat
with rival mightier than himself, and
my life depended on the issue OF the
struggle.
Knowing | might at any moment
lapse irto the final comatose state, |
hastily gave my instructions to Veera
pen and the cook while my mind re-
NAMED clear. | directed them to hold
me by my arms, one on either side, to
keep me walking about, ond on no &C
count to suf.r me to lie down or go
to sleep. l explained to Neerapen that
my life depended on my being kept
awake, and ordered him to check the
fatal drowsiness by thrashing me with
nv own horse whip ii necessary, and
not to spare 1t.