P
PoorOldSpike
Guest
Prepared in the US Office of the Surgeon General, 1943
(1) Wear boots when walking in snake-infested areas.
(2) When possible, remain on trails.
(3) Avoid the careless touching of shrubs, brush, trees, tree branches, etc., or walking near ledges where snakes may be hiding.
(4) In some areas, snakes may prefer dark, warm places for rest, and may crawl into shoes, clothing, or luggage. This is especially characteristic of the cobra in the Far East. Such articles should be examined carefully before use.
(5) If bitten by a snake the following procedures are recommended:
(a) Immediately apply pressure or tourniquet (rubber tubing, belt, string, piece of shirt, vine, or weed) above the bite--no tighter than a snug garter--to stop return of the venous blood toward the heart. The tourniquet should be released for a few seconds every 10 to 15 minutes to prevent gangrene.
(b) Under field conditions and in the absence of medical care, do not make an incision, but instead place a piece of rubber dam three or four inches square over the site of the fang punctures, and by vigorously sucking and kneading with the teeth, remove as much venom as possible during a period of 5 minutes. The rubber dam will prevent sucking the venom into the mouth. Wash the wound and the rubber dam, and repeat the sucking and kneading at regular intervals, while removing the patient to the nearest medical officer or other physician.
(c) Kill the snake and take it to the physician for inspection.
(d) Whiskey or other alcoholic drinks should not be given.
(e) As far as possible, keep the patient from exerting himself, for exertion will increase blood flow and thus cause more venom to be absorbed.
(1) Wear boots when walking in snake-infested areas.
(2) When possible, remain on trails.
(3) Avoid the careless touching of shrubs, brush, trees, tree branches, etc., or walking near ledges where snakes may be hiding.
(4) In some areas, snakes may prefer dark, warm places for rest, and may crawl into shoes, clothing, or luggage. This is especially characteristic of the cobra in the Far East. Such articles should be examined carefully before use.
(5) If bitten by a snake the following procedures are recommended:
(a) Immediately apply pressure or tourniquet (rubber tubing, belt, string, piece of shirt, vine, or weed) above the bite--no tighter than a snug garter--to stop return of the venous blood toward the heart. The tourniquet should be released for a few seconds every 10 to 15 minutes to prevent gangrene.
(b) Under field conditions and in the absence of medical care, do not make an incision, but instead place a piece of rubber dam three or four inches square over the site of the fang punctures, and by vigorously sucking and kneading with the teeth, remove as much venom as possible during a period of 5 minutes. The rubber dam will prevent sucking the venom into the mouth. Wash the wound and the rubber dam, and repeat the sucking and kneading at regular intervals, while removing the patient to the nearest medical officer or other physician.
(c) Kill the snake and take it to the physician for inspection.
(d) Whiskey or other alcoholic drinks should not be given.
(e) As far as possible, keep the patient from exerting himself, for exertion will increase blood flow and thus cause more venom to be absorbed.
