Outlines of medical jurisprudence for India / by J.D.B. Gribble and Patrick Hehir.

  • Gribble, J. D. B. (James Dunning Baker), -1906
Date:
1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Outlines of medical jurisprudence for India / by J.D.B. Gribble and Patrick Hehir. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    520/604 (page 488)
    SNAKE-POISONS. Snake-poisons—Poisonous snakes—Classes of poisonous snakes—Poisonous colnbrine snakes—Viperine snakes—Terrestial snakes—Indian snakes —Action of snake-poison—Action of snake-poison on nervous system —Action of snake-poison on blood—Transmission of snake-poison— Treatment of snake-bite—Condy's Fluid renders snake-poison inert— Only method of treatment of snake-bite—Cure for snake-bite— Mechanical irritants—Pounded glass as a mechanical poison—Diamond dust as a mechanical poison—Chopped hair as a mechanical poison. Snake poisons, rpjjj] poison of snakes, especially that of the cobra, is JL amongst the most poisonous agents known. In India, a large number of deaths are every year reported as due to snake-bites. Statistics collected by Fayrer show that in certain Indian Provinces 11,326 deaths from this cause were reported during the year 1869, equal to a death-rate of about 93*5 per million of population. In the provinces included, the death-rate from snake-bite varied from 43 per million (Punjaub) to about 128 per million (Bengal). In one district of Bengal, viz., Burdwan, the snake-bite death- rate appears to have been as high as 173 per million. It is quite possible, of course, that some of the deaths reported as due to snake-bite were due to other causes, and the cases reported as snake-bite, either because the true cause of death was unknown or with the view to conceal the real cause of death. Thus, Harvey mentions a case where the body of a man was sent for examination, accompanied by that of a snake which it was alleged had bitten him and caused his death. On examination the snake proved to be a non- poisonous one and the cause of death strangulation, the case being one of murder. It is very seldom that death from