ve at night. The Ophiophagus, or hooded cobra, is one
of the largest of venomous snakes, sometimes attaining a length of 15
feet; it is both powerful, active, and aggressive. 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. In most cases the
wound is painful, sometimes exaggerated by the mental condition, which
is wrought up to a pitch rarely seen in other equally fatal injuries.
It is often difficult to discern the exact point of puncture, so minute
is it. There is swelling due to effusion of blood, active inflammation,
and increasing pain. If the poison has gained full entrance into the
system, in a short time the swelling extends, vesicles soon form, and
the disorganization of the tissues is so rapid that gangrene is liable
to intervene before the fatal issue. The patient becomes prostrated
immediately after the infliction of the wound, and his condition
strongly indicates the use of stimulants, even if the medical attendant
were unfamiliar with the history of the snake-bite. There may be a
slight delirium; the expression becomes anxious, the pulse rapid and
feeble, the respiration labored, and the patient complains of a sense
of suffocation. Coma follows, and the respirations become slower and
slower until death results. If the patient lives long enough, the
discoloration