SECT. VI.
Of the Bite of Venomous Animals
It has been observed by all diligent inquirers into nature, that poisons are of two kinds, with respect to their effect in the animal œconomy. One kind will destroy if taken inwardly, but not have such ill consequences in wounded parts, externally. Another kind will be fatal in wounds; at the same time it does not affect the viscera.
The first which destroys internally, are poisons, either from corrosive minerals, or vegetables; but of the latter, namely what seems inoffensive taken in the mouth, is the poison that follows the bite of most venomous animals whose poison are natural; such is the scorpion, the adder, the rattle snake, &c. whose poison have by various experiments, been found to be attended with no ill consequences internally taken. This was known to the ancients, as well as to us; for we find Celsus,[[13]] to have spoken of this in his medical works.
[13]. Nam venenum serpentis, ut quaedam etiam venatoria venena, quibus Galli præcipue utuntur non gusto, sed in vulnere nocent. Ergo quisquis, exemplum Psylli secutus, it vulnus exsuxerit, et ipse tutus erit, et tutum hominem præstabit. Medicin. lib. v. c. 27.
Without any farther preface, I shall proceed to give the immediate remedies for such unfortunate accidents as happen by the bite of these animals.
To Cure the Bite of a Rattle Snake.
The poison from this venomous beast, is more deadly than any other of the serpentine tribe. If its venom by a wound is infused into the blood, a mortification, and speedy death must follow.
The part bit, should immediately be sucked with the mouth, either of the patient itself, or one who will risk himself to be so much the friend of the wounded. Dr. Mead has recommended, that oil should be held in the mouth all the time of sucking, but we have it from good authority, that the spittle itself is an antidote to that kind of poison.
It is needless to say, that the person who sucks the poison, should frequently spit out, as not to run the risk of swallowing it; and care should be taken, that his mouth is free from sores, or wounds.
When this is performed for a quarter of an hour, the part should be dressed with mercurial ointment (P). Sweet oil is much recommended, and may be plentifully used as an embrocation to the inflamed part; particularly if the oil is impregnated with camphor.
No. XXII
Take oil (C) two ounces; camphor, one scruple; mercurial ointment, one drachm; mix it.
The patient should take a vomit of ipecacuanha (S) one scruple; and a few drops of the essential oil of peppermint (U), on a lump of sugar, and dissolved in water, which should be repeated after the operation of the vomit as often as occasion requires. The fat of a rattle snake, is accounted a sovereign specific, if applied immediately to the wounded part, and the patient drinking a decoction made of snakeroot.
The same remedy here recommended to the bite of a rattle snake, (namely, sucking the fresh made wound) is also recommended to all other venomous bites. The viper, the adder, the santapea or scolopandra, the scorpion, tarantula, &c.
That oil is an antidote, (or as we may say a poison) to all these venomous animals is evident from their expiring in great agony, when oil is poured on them; but whether this effect is because of the penetration it has on their bodies, or annihilating their poison, is as yet undetermined.
I was once told a secret for the sting of a scorpion, avered to have been experienced, by a commander of a ship, trading to the bay of Honduras, viz. that the part stung by a scorpion should be touched with the glans of the penis, which would immediately draw out the poison, without effecting the glans that touched it; and it differs not, whether the patient himself or any other person does it.——If there is any virtue in this, I own it is beyond my comprehension.——I thought proper however to mention it, though I cannot advise it as a safe experiment, unless farther confirmed by those who have actually experienced it.
I have however a great opinion of mercurials in such exigencies; and would advise recourse to be had to it immediately, both external as well as internal; this we are at least assured of, it cannot be attended with danger.