THE CURE OF SNAKE BITES.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1635, 31 December 1912, Page 6

THE CURE OF SNAKE BITES.

Sir,—When are we going to .hear the last of Professor ■ Fox and his wonderful, cure for snake bite? . Once again we read of a test carried out in the presence of' public men clearly showing that a /venomous snake bites a man who " instantly cures himself by applying a. secret antidote. ',Now, if all this be true; why does not the Government take the matter up, and have a thorough test made of the antidote, with a view of placing it within reach, of those people inhabiting: snake-infested countries. We read of the many, deaths occurring every year in India from snake bite—then; surety anyone who co.uld come forward, and save these lives would surely be deserving of the "Noble" prize. Now, I- do not .wish to criticise Professor Fox or his method of curing snake, bite, but I seek the following information:— Were the gentlemen, who attended the demonstration capable of distinguishing between a venomous and a non-venoinouS snake? ■ ' ■

. Did they examine the 6nake's fangs, also the punctures made by same? Last, but not least, are they perfectly sure that Professor Fox is not immune from' snake bite? ■ '■

If these questions can be satisfactorily answered, then I do think the great elixir has been discovered, and Professor Fox certainly deserves public'recognition. Now my object in penning these few lines is to place before the public a theory which I think, if put to a test, will prove that it is . quite . possible for 9. human being to become immune from' snake bite. As one who has performed with snakes from boyhood, and who will take second place to no one in, the handling of constrictors, but who draws the line when it comes to playing with rattlers or death addeiß, it would certainly place' my mind at rest to . know thero is a sure cure for snake bites, as I could then greatly add to the drawing powers of my entertainment. This .is my chief reason as to why I am anxious to have Professor Fox's antridote tested. Now a few words about my theory. Anyone with even a slight knowledge of snakes knows that when the fangs enter the flesh poison or venom is injected into the blood. This poison is carried along with the blood until it reaches the heart, affecting that organ by deadening its action, and once the heart refuses to work there is but one consequence. In order to counteract the . effect of the snake venom strychnine, nicotine, or some other antidote is injected, which has the opposite eifect upon the heart's action, and if used properly will keep the heart to performing its usual function until the venom has been thoroughly mixed with the blood or absorbed by the body, thus losing its strength. Taking these things into account, I contend that if a person obtains snake venom or some other deadly poison, having the same properties, and uihites.it, why would it not be i>ossible to inject small quantities, increasing the dose as time went on, until the heart, became "educated" as it were to the required, standard to ' resist the effect of snake bite? We often hear of morphia fiends and . arsenic fiends, so why not snake poison fiends? In concluding, I wish it to be understood that I am not attacking Professor Pox or his antidote, but if ho can prove that he is not immune from snake bite then why waste time giving sideshows?. A fortuno awaits the discoverer of a sure' cure for snake bite. Although it is impossible for me to deal thoroughly with this subject with (?nly pen and ink, I am perfectly willing to meet anyone interested in the euro of snake bite, and if need be supply the necessary poison for experimental purposes.—l am, etc., BULLSWOOL,

.- . Davenport Expert. Wellington, December 27.