The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1917-08-09
DEATH m IT'S STING
Fearful Effects of the Venom of
the Dreaded Fer-de-lance.
THE WORST OF ALL SERPENTS

Only Instant and Heroic Treatment Can
Save Life After Stab by Its Deadly
Fanss-A Battle With Its Enemy and
Master, the Mongoose.
There exist a large number OF ven
OmOus serpents-we have many Of
them in the United States-but prob
ably no other spot in the known world
has such a deHth dealing snake as the
island of Martinique, in the Caribbean
sea. This is the fer-de-lance, scientif-
ically known as TrigOnocephalus lance
olatus, and it can, beyond the shadow
Of doubt, lay claim to being the most
deadly serpent of the earth. Its bite
means death.
There are eight distinct varieties, the
most common being dark gray and
black speckled, which coloring enables
1t to conceal itself easily among roots
and stumps of trees. Another variety
Is clear, bright yellow, and when
hidden in the freshly cut cane it can
scarcely be distinguished from the
stalks. 1t also may be dark yellow
VI wal bldCk Will N6IlDN Dchy.
This is not a large snake, rarely eX-
ceeding five feet i'll length and in cir
conference approximately the size of
child's arm. To repeat, the bite
means almost certain death and should
not the service Of a physician, or pen
seur, as the natives call him, be OBJ
tanned within a very short time the
venom does its deadly work-the flesh
grows cold. softens, becomes pulpy,
changes in color, quickly begins to
spot, and great chilliness creeps
through the blood. This lasts only
few minutes, possibly half an hour
then death.
II the victim be fortunate enough to
get a physician upon the scene post
haste and no artery or vein has been
pierced there is hope-just faint hope.
But even if life be saved the danger is
not entirely removed, for in many
cases necrosis of the tissues follows
the flesh cOrruptS and falls from the
bones, and the body molders as does
tree.
There is, however, a heroic method
Of treatment often brought into use by
the Martiniquians. 1t is the immedi-
ate amputation Of the leg or arm If
the bite happens to be in either. Even
this has to be done at once and before
the venom circulates through the sys-
TEN. There are to be seen today upon
the island many natives with limbs
missing, and In the majority of cases
it is the result of having the machete,
or cane knife, applied after an expert
ence with fer-de-lance.
The fer-de-lance is a fighter, and no
domestic animal, with the exception of
the cat, has any chance In battle
with this serpent. The cat, however,
in about nine cases out Of ten will
come out of the fight with flying col
ors because Of the fact that 1t is ap-
parently quite as quick in movement
and at the same time uses what might
be termed ring generalship.
There Is but one animal other than
the cat that successfully wages war
against the fer-de-lance. 1t Is the
mongoose dchneumon), imported from
India a number Of years ago for the
sole purpose of getting rid Of the
snakes in Martinique.
OF the weasel family and looking
very much like those creatures, this
little fellow is absolutely fearless SO
far as reptiles are concerned and will
just as readily attack one five feet in
length as one foot long.
From the mongoose the fer-de-lance
will flee, but if cornered will put up
great fight, using every trick at Its
command, a useless sort Of contest,
however, for within a short time it
will be stretched out lifeless.
A battle between these two natural
enemies Is we'll worth witnessing. 1t
is never limited fight, but to a finish
always, and probably the snakes by
this time have come to understand that
when they enter such a combat 1t is
with the odds greatly against them.
The mongoose is quite as clever a
ring general as the cat and uses that
gift to advantage. Strategy more than
strength is its asset.
When they meet and If the snake
sees uO dFeuu e VI escape II prepares
for battle as does the mongoose, but
In a more leisurely manner. 1t takes
about one minute for them to get fully
prepared. There is no trifiing, how
ever Q
The mongoose circles about the rep
tile, always at a safe distance and
drawing Ere" inviting it by moving
closer and closer, to dart out Its head
and then quickly jumping out Of harms
way 1t torrents in every possible
manner, causing the snake to change
position time and time again without
ever reaching the objective point. At
last, seeing it's opponent at some par
ticular disadvantage, the mongoose
springs forward quick as bolt of
lightning, catches the serpent firmly
with the teeth behind the triangular
head, a shake, possibly two-no more
and in less time than it takes to tell
it the fer-de-lance Is dead, its verte-