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Sonora Coral Snake — Part 3
Remedies for Snake-bite.--Against the action of the subtle fluid mankind has battled in the search for an "antidote," and many are the alleged cures for "snake-bite," though few are the actually useful chemicals known in case of catastrophe with human kind. The administration of large doses of whiskey is not only useless but exceedingly harmful. In small doses, whiskey is a valuable stimulant and combats the paralysing action of the venom. In large doses it stimulates but briefly, and then benumbs the faculties, reducing the system to a condition most susceptible to the action of the poison. It is a bold assertion, but nevertheless true, that the majority of so-called cures by the whiskey method have been but "recoveries," by frightened individuals, from the bites of harmless snakes. The writer remembers an interesting instance in South Carolina, when a powerful Negro was bitten on the thumb by a copper-bellied "moccasin" (the harmless, red-bellied water snake), which is reputed to be a rival in deadliness of the dreaded "cottonmouth." The man had started to kill the snake and becoming bold attempted to pick the reptile up by the tail and "snap its head off." The snake yet possessed sufficient life to turn and grasp his finger. The result was several punctures from the needle-like teeth. In a hysterical condition the Negro was led to the village, where his feelings were somewhat relieved by the assurances of the wise ones that they had heard of cases where the bite of that same species of snake had been cured by the administration of large quantities of whiskey. The Negro drank enough liquor to intoxicate half a dozen men, but was so excited that his head remained clear and he continually re-told the snake's fiendish attack upon his life. Later in the day he became drowsy and after prolonged slumber awoke to explain that his life had been saved. The news travelled rapidly and the value of whiskey for snake-bite was much exploited in the district.
It is of interest to review, from a simple and practical standpoint, the best treatment in case of accident. First, of importance, is to shut off the flow of blood from the vicinity of the wound, and prevent the venom attaining access to the general system. If the wound be upon the arm or leg, as it almost invariably is, this is quickly effected by the application of a ligature; a rubber ligature is the most convenient, and best in result. With the flow of blood shut off the next step is to enlarge the punctures made by the fangs in an endeavour to drain away the surrounding, poisoned blood. This treatment is of course heroic, but should be performed thoroughly and without hesitation. A very sharp knife or a razor should be used. Incisions slightly deeper than those made by the fangs should be made directly across the primary wound and about an inch in length. If the bite is from a very large snake the incisions should be larger. The flow of blood from these drainage cuts should be hastened by suction from the mouth, after which the wounds should be thoroughly washed out with a solution of permanganate of potash (enough of the crystals in water to produce a deep wine colour). While these precautions are being taken, send for a good surgeon. In many instances of snake-bite, surgical attendance is not within calling distance. If such be the situation, several things must be done, and carefully.
The ligature should be removed, but not until the drainage cuts have been thoroughly bled and washed to their depths with the solution of permanganate of potash, the action of which oxidizes and thus destroys what poison with which it comes in contact. With the ligature removed small doses of whiskey should be taken, to stimulate; alarming symptoms--fainting spells--should be met with hypodermic doses of strychnine, which is a powerful stimulant. The wounds themselves should be carefully covered with wet, antiseptic dressing, small strips of which should be packed into the drainage incisions to keep them open and induce further drainage of poisoned blood.
The important fact should be understood that an arm or leg bitten by a poisonous snake is very susceptible to common blood-poisoning (septicaemia), owing to the deadening effect which the venom produces upon the organisms in the blood that combat germ life. The effect of such a complication as blood-poisoning upon a system weakened by the primary ordeal, may be imagined.
To conclude this subject the writer ventures to prepare a list of articles which should be taken by those who venture into districts where poisonous snakes may be dangerously numerous. A complete outfit to be used in case of accident may be carried in very small space, and the articles needed would be:
Several good (very sharp) scalpels or lancets.
A rubber ligature.
A hypodermic syringe of fair size.
A package of absorbent cotton.
Several yards of aseptic gauze.
A few ounces of permanganate of potash (crystals).
A small quantity of some concentrated antiseptic solution, and there are many of such.
Several sealed tubes of anti-venomous serum.