The common snakes of
the deadly variety in the United States are the rattlesnake, the
"copperhead," and the moccasin; and it is from the bites of one
of these varieties that the great majority of reported deaths are
caused. But in looking over medical literature one is struck with
the scarcity of reports of fatal snake-bites. This is most likely
attributable to the fact that, except a few army-surgeons,
physicians rarely see the cases. The natural abode of the
serpents is in the wild and uninhabited regions.
The venom is delivered to the victim through the medium of a long
fang which is connected with a gland in which the poison is
stored. The supply may be readily exhausted; for a time the bite
would then be harmless. Contrary to the general impression,
snake-venom when swallowed is a deadly poison, as proved by the
experiments of Fayrer, Mitchell, and Reichert. Death is most
likely caused by paralysis of the vital centers through the
circulation. In this country the wounds invariably are on the
extremities, while in India the cobra sometimes strikes on the
shoulder or neck.
If called on to describe accurately the symptoms of snake-venom
poisoning, few medical men could respond correctly.
Pages:
1432
1433
1434
1435
1436
1437
1438
1439
1440
1441
1442
1443
1444
1445
1446
1447
1448
1449
1450
1451
1452
1453
1454
1455
1456