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From the Book: The Agricultural Journal of the Cape of Good Hope, Volume 37, p. 626,1910 by Cape of Good Hope (Colony). Department of Agriculture · 1910
Springbokfontein, Namaqualand, 9th November, 1910.
To the Editor, AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL.
SIR, With great interest have I read in the "Agricultural Journal " of October last the useful article on "Alleged cures for Snake bite, " by the Director of the Port Elizabeth Museum, Mr. F. W. Fitz-Simons. I have often heard and read about the successful use of Permanganate of Potash for snake bite, and would be very much pleased if Mr. Fitz-Simons would oblige the public by giving his opinion on this
subject, viz., whether Permanganate of Potash is a cure for snake bite and how it must be applied. Yours faithfully, etc.
L. HORNEMANN.
Yes, permanganate of potash is an antidote to snake bite, if applied instantly. It has the power of destroying the venom in the wound. When bitten, instantly scarify the flesh over the site of the bite. Make three or four cuts. Rub the wounds full of crystals of permanganate, or else spit in the palm of the hand and mix some crystals with the saliva and rub in the mass. It must be understood that permanganate is only a chemical antidote, and if not applied within about five minutes of the infliction of the bite, it will not be of any use. It simply kills any venom it comes in contact with in the wound. If the fangs of a snake should penetrate a vein, and the venom should be discharged thereir, then it would be instantly carried into the circulation, and any application of permanganate would be useless. The only real antidote is an Anti-venine serum which is now prepared. It is injected with a serum syringe, and can be applied an hour or two, or longer, after the bite. If the patient is not too far gone before its injection, he will recover rapidly, for the serum kills the venom in the blood. If your correspondent will write me I will give him particulars about it and how to obtain it, and the right calibre lancet, as well as the permanganate apparatus. For the permanganate treatment a penknife and little permanganate is all that is needed. A small pocket apparatus with lancet and permanganate can now be had . Full information about Snakes, their venom and the treatment of snake bite can be had in the volume I have recently written. Yours, etc.,
F. W. FITZ – SIMONS,
Director, Port Elizabeth Museum
