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Story
September 17, 1899
The Age Herald
Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama
What is this article about?
Historical account of using radiated heat as an antidote for snake, insect bites, and wounds, citing Dr. Hering's successful self-treatment of a South American snake bite; practical applications for outdoorsmen.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Radiated Heat for Snake Bites
From Forest and Stream.
The early application of radiated heat has been a long time known as an effective antidote to bites of snakes, insects and to punctured wounds, as from fish fins and sharp inanimate bodies.
I cannot recall reading this fact anywhere, yet I think that it is well known, and, like Wau-Kau-Mah, I mention it for the benefit of the readers of Forest and Stream. Even those who are "chained to business" may use it, as it is good for spider bites.
Dr. Constantine Hering, a noted scientist, who died in Philadelphia in 1880, aged 81 years, was the first person I know of who had used radiated heat to antidote the poison of a snake bite. This he did in his own person, and successfully antidoted the virus of one of the most poisonous snakes of South America, the Lachesis trigonocephalus. It seems strange that although the fact that radiated heat is so generally known to be an antidote to all kinds of virus, it is so seldom used as such.
Those who hunt and fish usually have the means at hand to apply it. I have used a lighted cigar, a bunch of waste, a pine torch, the flame of a gasoline lamp best of all the glowing embers of the camp fire.
When the fin of a fish punctures the finger or the hand a sharp pain usually ensues, and may extend from the wound up the arm to the shoulder. This pain is often excruciating and sickening. Hold the wound close to a red-hot ember or anything giving off an equal amount of heat, and you will note that in a minute or two all the pain is gone and that it is seldom necessary to repeat the application of heat. Healing takes place without further attention.
When the face or other parts of the body are tingling and burning and itching from mosquito bites so that it is impossible to go to sleep, give the parts a dose of radiated heat, and you will go to sleep without further annoyance from the old bites.
From Forest and Stream.
The early application of radiated heat has been a long time known as an effective antidote to bites of snakes, insects and to punctured wounds, as from fish fins and sharp inanimate bodies.
I cannot recall reading this fact anywhere, yet I think that it is well known, and, like Wau-Kau-Mah, I mention it for the benefit of the readers of Forest and Stream. Even those who are "chained to business" may use it, as it is good for spider bites.
Dr. Constantine Hering, a noted scientist, who died in Philadelphia in 1880, aged 81 years, was the first person I know of who had used radiated heat to antidote the poison of a snake bite. This he did in his own person, and successfully antidoted the virus of one of the most poisonous snakes of South America, the Lachesis trigonocephalus. It seems strange that although the fact that radiated heat is so generally known to be an antidote to all kinds of virus, it is so seldom used as such.
Those who hunt and fish usually have the means at hand to apply it. I have used a lighted cigar, a bunch of waste, a pine torch, the flame of a gasoline lamp best of all the glowing embers of the camp fire.
When the fin of a fish punctures the finger or the hand a sharp pain usually ensues, and may extend from the wound up the arm to the shoulder. This pain is often excruciating and sickening. Hold the wound close to a red-hot ember or anything giving off an equal amount of heat, and you will note that in a minute or two all the pain is gone and that it is seldom necessary to repeat the application of heat. Healing takes place without further attention.
When the face or other parts of the body are tingling and burning and itching from mosquito bites so that it is impossible to go to sleep, give the parts a dose of radiated heat, and you will go to sleep without further annoyance from the old bites.
What sub-type of article is it?
Medical Curiosity
What themes does it cover?
Recovery
What keywords are associated?
Radiated Heat
Snake Bite Antidote
Insect Bites
Punctured Wounds
Medical Remedy
What entities or persons were involved?
Dr. Constantine Hering
Wau Kau Mah
Story Details
Key Persons
Dr. Constantine Hering
Wau Kau Mah
Event Date
1880
Story Details
The early application of radiated heat is an effective antidote to snake bites, insect bites, and punctured wounds. Dr. Constantine Hering used it successfully on himself for a bite from the poisonous Lachesis trigonocephalus snake in South America. Hunters and fishers can apply it using camp fire embers, cigars, or torches to relieve pain quickly and promote healing.