The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-07-31
RATTLESNAKES AND MAD DOGS.
How Their Bites May Be Rendered Harm.
less.
less.

Constitution published letter from
an educated Indian residing in Indian
Territory, which was inspired by the
philanthropic desire to make generally
familiar the Indians immcmor:al
remedy for the bite of snake or mad
dog.
The CLAIM. was made that q perfect
antidotc exists in the combination OF
salt, onions and tobacco beaten to-
gether and applied to the wound. 1t
used Immediately and renewed every
half hour no swelling would cnsuc and
recovery would be rapid aud complete.
He stated that this history Of treat
mcnt had been uniformly true, the
observation and recollection Of 40 In
dian being to the contrary.
According to this Indian tradition,
going back to remote generations, in
these homcly simplcs perfect remedy
is provided against death in two Of
the most awful forms that can distress
and destroy US. Not all the places of
human habitation are marked by the
trail of scrpcnts, but the bark Of the
dog is cotcrminous with the voice OF
man and his ever presence is an ever
present threat Of an unspeakablc Gala
nifty to every human being.
1t is peculiarly fortunate that the
ingredients Of this infalliblc cure arc
almost always close to the hand Of
even the poorest among us. Every
humble kitchen may thus become
Pasteur institute aud the most uncul-
tured can readily be staff Of skilful
and successful practitioners.
Since we are scientifically sure that
the poisonous, death dealing secretions
which infect the animal bitten are
strongly acid in their nature VIC have
suggested Immediately the free use
locally and internally Of strong alkalis.
Soda, salt, borax, ammonia, sweet and
olive oils have been used with marked
SUCCESS in cases of snake bite. Nor
should we forget the common peoples
absolute faith in alcoholic liquors and
tobacco os remedies for snake bite.
DR.. James Evan informs the writer,
who records it as curious fact which
will doubtlcssly interest many, that
the poison Of our rattlesnakes has been
found to be the efficient and most re-
liable antidote to the poison Of the
cobra. For the bite Of the rattle
snake, in localities naturally infested,
there grows plant vulgarly named
rattlesnakc master, which indicates
the purpose of its existence by flow
er bearing the shape of rattlesnake's
opened mouth, with fangs ready to
strike. A tea is made Of the entire
plant and given freely to the unfortu-
nate sufferer.
1t will be comforting to be assured
that, except in extraordinary circum-
stances, no one with his wits about
him has reason to fcar rattlesnake.
This is true not only because this
snake is naturally peaccabie and be-
cause, unless he deems himself in i'm
mincnt peril, he always gives timely
warning by "ringing his rattles," but
because he is as readily frightened by
q man 8 angry voice as man is by the
tinpanuery Of his rattles.
SNAKES FEAR HUMAN VOICE.
For full half hour the writer of
this, in a cotton field on Black River,
in Georgetown County, tried the ex.
pertinent with lively, full-grown rat
tier and did not fail single time 10
control his highness' movements by
the simple use of stentorian tones.
At each outburst he stopped moving
and lay for several minutes as if par
alyzed. Then he would lift his rat
ties, ring them very gently and move
away slowly from the speaker.
When there could be no possible
doubt of the fact that the angry hu-
man tones did have power to terrify
and control him he was forever freed
from the responsibility Of such dan
gerous prcrogatives as appertained to
him by an improvised guillotine con-
sisting Of the writer and sharp hoe
borrowed from cotton chopper stand
ing near.
Should one be passing through thick
woods or travelling at night and hear
the dreadful warning he should stop
in his tracks, soak volley Of words
in loud and angry tones, then pause
and listen. Very soon he will hear
the rattling gently rep we'd and in
stead Of being circumambient and in
capable of location it will indicate it's