Page:Natural History, Reptiles.djvu/239

Rh Majesty's service, within an hour or two after the bite of a Serpent which had been caught at sea, and also to numerous experiments of his own, in which fowls, fish, and other animals invariably died within a few minutes after the bite had been inflicted.”

Soon after the opening of the bar in October, 1815, reports prevailed at Madras, that a large shoal of Sea-Snakes had entered the river, and that many natives had been bitten while crossing, and had died in consequence. A reward was then offered for each specimen captured, that should be brought to the Superintendent of Police. Pandauls (or temporary hospitals?) were erected, opposite the two principal fords, and skilful natives under the direction of Dr. M'Kenzie, to whom we are indebted for the account, were provided with eau-de-luce and other remedies, and ordered to afford immediate aid to those that were bitten. Many were wounded, and all exhibited symptoms common to those suffering from animal poisons; but none died. A native woman crossing near the custom-house, was seen, on emerging from the stream, to shake off some object from her foot, which to the bystanders appeared to be a Water-Snake. After proceeding a few paces, she fell down, and was carried in a state of insensibility to the pandaul. On examining her feet, two small but distinct wounds were observed on the ankle of the right leg; her skin was cold, her face livid, her breathing laborious, her pulse scarcely perceptible. A ligature was immediately placed above the wound, which had been previously enlarged with a lancet,