Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1888-07-13

"Can we now in view of the results of our
experiments propose any plan Of treatment
for snake bite which will afford reasonable
ground for belief that danger may be
averted and human lives spared? 1t is
thought the question may be answered in
the affirmative, especially as regards those
persons bitten by North American species
of poisonous reptiles, and the following
suggestions are offered with the earnest de-
sire that they may fully realize the hopes
of the writer.
WHAT SHALL A Pr SON DO
who is bitten by venomous snake? The
first advice to give is that he or she should
not lose presence of mind, and become so
nervous as to be incapable of cool and de-
hberate thoughts. If the bite is upon one
of the lower limbs or upon the arms, a
broad bandage of unyielding texture, if
possible, should be placed tightly around
the affected member, and between
the bite and the heart, and be securely
fastened. This bandage or ligature can be
made by tearing up shirt and using two or
three thicknesses of the material, AN inelastic
suspender will answer, pieces of a hand
kerchief may be used, or if in the woods q
strip of bark from sapling can be hastily
slit off and applied. A leather strap or
thong is better than anything else, but
even long grass rolled together so as to
form cord may be used in an emergency.
In applying the band or igature of what
ever nature, it should be started about six
inches above the bite and the turns made
to run downward toward the puncture, and
should be wrapped SO tightly as to cause
the injured limb to become turgid with
venous blood. Having fastened it secur-
ely, number of cross cuts should made
through the points of the puncture from
the snakes fangs, deep enough to pass
down into the muscular tissue, taking care
to avoid veins which will be seen standing
prominently forth, and bleeding from the
cuts can be encouraged by rubbing the
limb gently up and down below the liga-
ture. wide-mouthed bottle or similar
utensil, from which the air has been driven
forth, by burning some whisky or a piece
of paper in it, should be applied to the
wound and it will act as a cupping glass;
or still better, let the bite be sucked by
the patient himself, if he can get at it, or
have some courageous friend, with a
healthy mouth, perform this act fer him.
THE PULSE sHo0LD BE FELT,
and if it weakens, showing that possibly
portion of venom is reaching the general
system Notwithstanding the constructing
band, whisky should be given in moderate
quantities. From time to time the band
should be slightly loosened and then re-
placed SO as to admit of partial circulation.
but as the heart flags, the stimulant must
again be administered. 1t is no use to make
the patient drunk, for alcoholic liquors are
in tbav Oh AZ
as tonic to the failing circulation.
The writer has been informed by gen.
tleman, long resident in Texas that the
plan proposed has been constantly employ
in that State. and that few deaths result
there from the bite of venomous snakes.
Of course it will be understood that these
suggestions are intended to meet sudden
emergencies and not to take the place of
treatment by intelligent bystanders or
physicians. Under all circumstances,
THE LOCATING BAND
should be first applied and the incision
made, and then if circumstances will admit
the following procedure, it is thought, will
be the best. Cupping glasses should be
applied over the wound. after which o 20
per cent solution of permanganate of
potassa should be injected with hypo-
dermic syringe directly into the wounded
tissue and retained there by means of the
the finger or compress. The flesh should
also be kneaded so as to distribute the
solution through the tissues in the imme-
date vicinity of the bite. In addition, the
patient should be made to swallow 20
minims fluid extract of jaborandi, or its
alkaloid, pilocarpine, may be used .shypo-
dermically. If the venom appear to be
gaining ground another injection of the
permanganate may be given, followed by
more of the jaborandi, or pilocarpine, but
the latter drug should be suspended
when it is found the patient is perspiring
freely and when excessive salvation is
produced. Carried too far, this remedy
would weaken instead of Strengthening the
heart.
wHISKEY OR BRANDY
may also be used in limited quantsty from
time to time. In the absence of any of the
means suggested in the way of remedies
the primary fact to keep in mind, is the
importance of the ligature, incision or
scarifying the affected part, and the pro-
motion of a free flow of blood. If nothing
can be found to use as cupping glass, or
no one is courageous enough to use the
mouth, the old fashioned country remedy
of splitting open live chicken and ap-
plying it over the wound may be tried, or
as has been tried in India with success,
the anus of chicken may be applied over
the wound, using number of different
fowls for the purpose. The writer recon-
mends these methods only because there is
undoubted evidence of their efficacy. A
piece of porous clay might be applied as it
would doubtless act in the same manner as