Elementary textbook of economic zoology and entomology . elementarytextbo00kell Year: [c1915] SNAKES, LIZARDS, TURTLES, AND CROCODILES 271 Notwithstanding the fact that a bite from any one of these venomous snakes may prove fatal to man in a very short time, the real danger from these snakes is not as great as it would seem, for they may usually be seen or heard and avoided. The number of deaths resulting from snake bites in the United States each year is very small indeed, an average of but only two each year, it has been estimated. Sucking the blood and poison from the wound or drinking lar
Elementary textbook of economic zoology and entomology . elementarytextbo00kell Year: [c1915] SNAKES, LIZARDS, TURTLES, AND CROCODILES 271 Notwithstanding the fact that a bite from any one of these venomous snakes may prove fatal to man in a very short time, the real danger from these snakes is not as great as it would seem, for they may usually be seen or heard and avoided. The number of deaths resulting from snake bites in the United States each year is very small indeed, an average of but only two each year, it has been estimated. Sucking the blood and poison from the wound or drinking large quantities of whiskey are the two methods most commonly recommended for treat- ing snake bites. Sucking the poison from the wound may do some good but it is very dangerous, for should some of the poi- son get into cuts or abrasions on the lips or in the mouth it might cause more harm that it would in the original wound. Excessive use of al- coholic drinks must also be avoided, as experiments have shown that they may exert a very unfavorable effect. The best thing to do if one should be bitten by a poi- sonous snake is to apply pres- sure, by a ligature or other- wise, to the blood-vessels lead- ing from the wound to the heart to prevent the blood from carrying the poison to the heart. If a physician is not available within a very short time the tissue around the wound should be incised deeply and a solution of potassium permanganate (i part of the chemical to 100 parts of water) injected. If properly and promptly applied such a treatment may destroy much of the venom before it can reach the heart and be sent from there over the whole system. Hypochlorite of calcium, i part to 60 parts of water, or chloride of gold, i to 100, or chromic acid, i to 100, may be used if the potassium permanganate is not available. When the venom of a poisonous snake is introduced into the blood of an animal in small quantities it is capable of pro- FIG. 125.—Dissection of head of rattlesnak
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