Symptoms of a Snake Bite

Categories: Accidents, Emergencies and Poisons

The symptoms are similar in bites of poisonous
snakes. Pain in the wound, slight at first, but becoming more severe, with

rapid swelling and spotted discoloration in the vicinity of the wound.

Symptoms of heart and lung depression soon show themselves by feeble and

fluttering pulse, faintness, cold sweating, mental distress, nausea and

vomiting and labored breathing. Death may occur very soon in intense

poisoned cases, but mo e frequently the struggle extends over a number of

hours.



Treatment. First thing to do. When the bite is on a limb, tie the limb

above the bite toward the body and twist the ligature so tight that the

circulation is cut off, or checked. Then cut the wound open very freely.

When the bite is on the body, make a free cut, and when this cannot be

done suck the wound vigorously, which can done without danger, if there

are no cracks or abrasions of the lips or mouth, as the poison is harmless

when taken into a well mouth. If a hot iron is at hand apply it freely

within the wound and this may take the place of the knife or suction. Salt

put in the cut wound will be of help, or fill the wound with permanganate

of potash and inject a solution of the same, diluted three-quarters with

water, around the wound. Strychnine one-fifteenth of a grain every two

hours until the symptoms are better. This is not given until the symptoms

of snake poisoning have shown themselves.



If such agents are not at hand, brandy or whisky should be given freely.

The pulse will show when the patient has had enough.



MOTHERS' REMEDIES. INSECT AND OTHER BITES. 1. Simply Use Pepper for Dog

Bite. "My son had his hand bitten by a dog and it was over a week before

it was brought to my notice. The sore was then filled with green pus and

the pain went up to his jaw, so we were afraid of lockjaw. I had him

cleanse it thoroughly in a basin of warm saleratus water, then filled and

thickly covered it with black pepper. The pain stopped almost instantly.

It seems as though pepper would smart a cut terribly, but it does not."

This is a good remedy and worth trying. The black pepper did not smart the

wound because the flesh was dead.



2. Bites, Tobacco Good for Dog. "Immediately wash the parts with clear

water; then take leaf or cut tobacco and bind over the part bitten,

changing it two or three times a day for a week. This effectually absorbs

the poison. It is a good prevention of any future trouble."



3. Bites, Ammonia Good for Insect. "Rub the affected parts with ammonia,

which will draw out the poison. For mosquito bites have often used baking

soda. This always gives relief and is very cooling."



4. Bites, Baking Soda for Insect. "Cover the affected parts with baking

soda and keep moist." A mud poultice is an old tried remedy.






5. Bites, Hartshorn Old Time Remedy for. "Apply hartshorn or spirits of

ammonia to part which neutralizes the formic acid, the active principle of

the poison." This is an old-time remedy and will always give relief if

applied immediately.



6. Bites, Carbolic Acid Draws Poison from. "Bathe frequently in a weak

solution of carbolic acid." The carbolic acid is a very good remedy and

seldom fails to cure, but if you do not happen to have the acid, use

vinegar, and it will have practically the same effect.



7. Bites, Alum and Vinegar Good Remedy for. "Alum and vinegar. Purchase

five cents' worth of powdered alum and dissolve in a pint of vinegar and

apply freely. This is a very good remedy."



8. Bites, Salt Water for Mosquito. "Take salt and water in a little dish

and keep wetting the bite for a few moments. This will soon destroy the

poison," This will be found a very simple but effective remedy, especially

in children or small babies, as we mothers all know how very annoying a

mosquito bite is to children. The salt water will remove all the poison

and at the same time relieve the itching and swelling. Care should be

taken not to make it too strong for a small baby.



9. Bites, Spirits of Ammonia for Snake. "Strong spirits of ammonia

applied to the wounds of snake bites or rabid animals is better than

caustic. It neutralizes the poison." Enough of the ammonia should be used

to irritate the parts. It is harmless treatment and should be used freely.