(2) Among the vertebrata, the only animals capable of inflicting poisoned wounds are the ophidian reptiles or snakes. As the description of the mechanism of the poison fangs of venomous snakes is sufficiently given in the article SERPENTS, we may pass on to the subject of the nature of the venom and its effects. The venom is described, when fresh, as a transparent, yellowish or greenish, somewhat viscid, neutral fluid, much resembling saliva in its physical character, and exhibiting no obvious indication of its virulent nature. According to prince Lucien Bonaparte, it contains, in addition to albuminous or mucous and fatty matters and the usual salts, a peculiar principle, to which lie has given the name echidnine or viperine, which appears to be the active poison ous matter. The poison of the most deadly serpent produces no effect when introduced into the stomachs of living animals, excepting a slight irritation of the air-passages; nor is its effect more serious when applied to the surface of the skin when free from abrasion. From the experiments of Fontana "on the poison of the viper," and other observers, it seems that the venom must be introduced, directly into the subcutaneous cellular tis sue. When, however, properly introduced, as through its natural channel, the poison fang, " its effects are very rapidly manifested; in fact, in some cases so rapidly as more to resemble those of prussic acid than anything else; usually, however, a brief interval elapses before the effects are shown. These may be divided into general and local. The first symptoms in nearly all cases appear to be a general shock to the nervous system, attended with faintness, tremor, and great depression, sometimes with stupor, loss of sight, vomiting, lockjaw, and general insensibility; at the same time, great and some times intense local pain is set up. The limb, if the wound is in one of the extrem ities, rapidly swells. In severe cases, the swelling continues to spread till it reaches the trunk, or even the entire body, whose surface assumes a jaundiced hue. The gravity of the effects of the bite of a venomous snake appears to be in direct ratio to the com parative sizes of the snake and its victim, and also to the quantity of the poisonous secretion present at the time in the saccular gland. It is also greatly governed by the situation of the wound; one on an extremity, for example, being fur less dangerous than one ou the face or trunk. It has been remarked that two or more wounds at distant
points are more rapidly effective than when they are inflicted on one spot."—Busk, op. cit., pp. 926, 927. The poison is one which seems to act primarily on the nervous sys tem, and also to have a septic action on the tissues with which it is brought in contact; 'and in order to produce its effects, it must be directly introduced into the circulation.
The viper is the only poisonous snake in this country; but in other countries, there are many snakes whose bite is fatal. America possesses the rattlesnake; the East Indies, the cobra da capello, the ophiophagus, daboia Russellii, etc. ; and Africa and Australia are rich in poisonous reptiles. The bite of the viper presents in a mild form the typical symptoms which have been described, and is very seldom fatal. In the case of many snake-bites, however, rapid death is the general result; and should recovery take place, it will often be very protracted and imperfect.
The symptoms produced by the bites of different kinds of venomous serpents, differ considerably In character as well as in intensity, although there is a general resem blance.
The treatment may be divided into local and general. The local treatment consists in the immediate application of a ligature drawn as tightly as possible above the wound —provided the situation of the latter allow of it—to prevent absorption, and the excision and cauterization of the bitten part, and then, after bathing it with warm water, suck ing or capping it. When the position of the bite prevents free excision, the poisoned tissues must be destroyed by liquor ammonite, or nitric acid. The general or constitu tional measures consist essentially in the very free administration of the most powerful diffusible stimulants, such as hot strong brandy or whiskey and water, and ammonia (an ammoniacal preparation, known as eau de Nee, is a popular remedy for snake bites). In these cases, in consequence of the prostration of the patient, he can bear an extraordinary quantity of stimulants. For the bite of the rattlesnake, the popular treat ment is to make the patient drunk—a process known as the western cure. Olive oil, freely administered, has been strongly advocated. We append in a foot-note* a few of the so-called specific remedies said to be adopted by the inhabitants of countries where the most virulent serpents abound.