The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-07-11
THE OLD MEDICAL FALLACIES ARE
 THE FUNNIEST

Our Texas reader writes:
 I enjoy your column and get beneht from it. Your "B. B." is great. l sub scribe to the paper solely for.your column and current comment. But permit me 10 say that, like every other human pelng, YOU are sometimes wrong. This IS true as to your views on alcohol. A doctor friend says: "Dr Brady is right, and he is wrong. Alcohol is a stimulant and depfessant according to quantity So far we might debate the question With q perfectly straight face. But our Texas friend waxes melodramatic, just when we were hsten- ing seriously:
 Another doctor says "Alcohol is spe-/ ciic for the venom of a rattlesnake. NO science can equal facts Science changes. facts do not. My father, two brothers and I were bitten by rattlesnakes The life Of each was saved by alcohol, great, put dangerous medicine, like strychnine and arsenic in the hands of ignorant people. This is written for a purpose. II some
 man, like the writer, should pc pitteh
 many miles from a doctor, the>may have
 sure remedy at hand to save his own IIe.
 Please say what you would give for snake
 bites if the snake serum should not De a.
 hand, and by doing so am sure you VIII
 benefit hundreds of people.
 Gladly First I can assure our Texas friend that all authorities of scientific standing adVise against giving alcohol in any form 10 the VIC tim of snake bite Actually the victims chance to recover is better without treatment or any kind than it is with alcohol.
 must call attention to characteristic fea-
  views our friend quotes-theyre anonymous: For all we know they may be fake doctors: It would be more impressive if our friend could name authorities he cites. One likes to be sure' at least that the doctors men of standing, and nok hypothetical authorities
 If I were confronted with rattlesnake bite and had no anti-venom (serum) at hand, here is the treatment should give or wish given: Immediately make two deep crisscross lnclslons or skin deep scratches through the fang marks with knife, razor blade, needle, bit Of glass; tln, thorn or sharp Stone This Is to encourage bleeding. Suck this wound for several minutes About the limb above the. bite tie a handker- chief loosely, then insert stick and tWlst tightly enough to shut off the circulation Let thus remain not longer than five minutes and then loosen it for half minute, then tighten again for another five minutes. and so on ln- definitely Keep the patient at rest-no walk ing or running. Administer whatever real stimulants you get Alcohol NEVER. Cof- fee or tea is excellent. Strychnin, atropin, adrenalin are excellent if they are available. Aromatic spirits of ammonia from the first aid kit is real stimulanr.
 If a package of ant-venom is in the emer- gency kit Gas it should be if you are travelling, fishing, hunting or camping in snake country) do NOT use the tourniquet or bind the limb after injection of the antidote, for the antidote should be carried as quickly as possible throughout the crculation.
 The package of anti-venom sells for $10, or one may rent a package for a weekend trip for dollar so. It keeps well for five years or more, and by following the directions on the package any child can successfully admin ster the serum. It is the best treatment for snake e-bite.