A Woman approaching the side of the river Hawkesbury a few days
since for a pitcher of water, was bit in the leg by a snake which darted at her
from a small thicket: but her life was in all probability saved by her fortitude
in consenting to and undergoing the immediate operation of searing with a hot iron.
— The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser,
Sunday 17 February 1805, 2.
As soon As Mr Mileham arrived which was in about an hour, he
applied the touch of a hot iron over the whole surface of the incision, and took
the patient in to Windsor, which is between two and three miles distant, that he
might have him under his immediate care; to which, in aid of the first precaution
that had been used, there can be no doubt he owes his present existence.
— The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser,
Saturday 12 February 1814, 2.
I would therefore advise, that as soon as possible after the
bite be inflicted the wounded part be cut away. Fire, the strong vitriolic acid,
nitrous or marine acids timely applied would answer the purpose as well, without
any appearance of severity, which may attend the remedy afforded by the knife…pinch
up the skin with the thumb and fore finger of the left hand, and with a knife, razor,
scissars, or other edged instrument, in the right hand, take the piece of skin away
completely, observing very circumspectly that the punctures made by the indention
of the teeth be perfectly cut away…
— From "M. M.", in The Sydney Gazette
and New South Wales Advertiser, Sunday 16 December 1804, 2.
I cannot quit this interesting subject without noticing particularly,
that a most excellent remedy in the bites of both venomous snakes and spiders, is
the immediate application of the soft black mud from spring branches, or such mud
as is used for the daubing of houses. I have never had occasion to try the experiment
myself, but fully believe, from the best authority, that it is an efficient and
powerful application.
— John C. Gunn, Gunn's Domestic Medicine or
Poor Man's Friend, 13th edition, 1839, 375.
Many people have faith in Holloway's pills and ointment, others
believe in Underwood's antidote (whatever that may be); but since that poor man
died a martyr to it, the antidote has lost its charm. Brandy taken inwardly is in
high favour with some; no doubt it keeps the spirits up, and in fact gin, rum, or
whisky will have the same effect, but it will often be difficult to decide whether
a person has really been bitten by a snake, or merely tries to get drunk under false
pretences.
— Gerard Krefft, 'Snakes and Snake Bites', Sydney Morning Herald, Friday
3 October 1862, 3.
To the Editors … GENTLEMEN, — Permit me to call attention to
a very important discovery, said to have been tested on dogs: it is the cure of
the bite of all snakes by salt. The limb should be immersed in a saturated brine,
or the wound should be well rubbed with salt; it would be well if, in the last case,
the wound were opened a little. It is said never to fail. Your most obedient servant,
B. A.
— The Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 18
August 1845, 3.

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