Correspondence. THE TREATMENT OF SNAKE-BITE. To the Editor
of
the
"
Indian Medical Gazette
Sir,?Quite apart from my paper on the subject of the hypodermic injection of Permanganate of Potash, I would offer the following suggestions for the treatment of Snaltehite, and should be exceedingly obliged to any gentleman who may hare the opportunity of testing them if he would publish the results. 1st.?In the case of the bite being on a limb, a ligature should be at once applied above the bitten part, cate beiug taken that it is sufficiently light to prevent any blood being
taken up into the general circulation from the distal end. Give a full dose of opium?10 minims of the tincture?or half a grain of morphia hypodermically. 2nd.?Inject hypodermically into the bitten part a solution of permanganate of potash?4 grains to one dram of water?and well press the part with the fingers. 3rd.?Open a vein below the bitten part, and wind round the limb an elastic bandage so as to exsanguinate the limb below the bitten part. 4th.?Cut through the bitten part and when dry apply pulverized permanganate of potash and then loosen the ligature.- In the case of a peison being bitten on the trunk, any treatment however prompt may be useless. Nevertheless it would be advisable to well inject the part with permanganate of potash, giving a full dose of opium as before recommended. It may not be generally known to the members of the profession that a poisonous bite may be easily ascertained by cutting through the punctures into the areolar issue beneath, when if a red-currant jelly-like appearance is observable the bite is poisonous. The merit of pointing out the diagnostic value of this local appearance is due to Dr. Wall. In conclusion I would wish to be distinctly understood that I make these suggestions experimentally to medical men who may have the opportunity of testing their value, and not with any idea that they could possibly have any general application, or that any treatment calling for the exercise of technical skill could materially influence the great mortality which occurs annually in India from snake-poisoning. If under favourable circumstances life can be saved, it is well that we should know how to save it.
Yours faithfully,
V. Richards.
Goalundo, 3rd December 1881.
of
the
"
Indian Medical Gazette
Sir,?Quite apart from my paper on the subject of the hypodermic injection of Permanganate of Potash, I would offer the following suggestions for the treatment of Snaltehite, and should be exceedingly obliged to any gentleman who may hare the opportunity of testing them if he would publish the results. 1st.?In the case of the bite being on a limb, a ligature should be at once applied above the bitten part, cate beiug taken that it is sufficiently light to prevent any blood being
taken up into the general circulation from the distal end. Give a full dose of opium?10 minims of the tincture?or half a grain of morphia hypodermically. 2nd.?Inject hypodermically into the bitten part a solution of permanganate of potash?4 grains to one dram of water?and well press the part with the fingers. 3rd.?Open a vein below the bitten part, and wind round the limb an elastic bandage so as to exsanguinate the limb below the bitten part. 4th.?Cut through the bitten part and when dry apply pulverized permanganate of potash and then loosen the ligature.- In the case of a peison being bitten on the trunk, any treatment however prompt may be useless. Nevertheless it would be advisable to well inject the part with permanganate of potash, giving a full dose of opium as before recommended. It may not be generally known to the members of the profession that a poisonous bite may be easily ascertained by cutting through the punctures into the areolar issue beneath, when if a red-currant jelly-like appearance is observable the bite is poisonous. The merit of pointing out the diagnostic value of this local appearance is due to Dr. Wall. In conclusion I would wish to be distinctly understood that I make these suggestions experimentally to medical men who may have the opportunity of testing their value, and not with any idea that they could possibly have any general application, or that any treatment calling for the exercise of technical skill could materially influence the great mortality which occurs annually in India from snake-poisoning. If under favourable circumstances life can be saved, it is well that we should know how to save it.
Yours faithfully,
V. Richards.
Goalundo, 3rd December 1881.
