old that a substance is at one time a
medicament, and at another time a poison, have much trouble in
drawing the line between the beneficial and the poisonous
effect. The idea that poisonous substances act on the system is
responsible for many grave mistakes, whereas always, and under
all circumstances, it is the system that does all the action.

"There might be some excuse for the idea that disease is an
entity, from the facts that have been brought to light by the
germ theory, but this theory is of recent date, while the entity
theory is as old as superstition.

"Snake poison, which may be cited as a type of other animal
poisons, takes effect through the circulation, and acts by
paralyzing the nerve centres, and by altering the condition of
the blood. In ordinary cases death seems to take place by arrest
of respiration, from paralysis of the nerves of motion. The
poison also acts septically, producing at a later period
sloughing and hemorrhage.

"Dr. Calmette, a noted French scientist, claims that what is
poisonous in the snake's bite, is not the venom absorbed into
the blood, but a principle which the blood itself has developed
out of the poison. This would necessitate very quick action when
the poison is inserted in one of the large veins, as that is
followed by instant death.

"The following cases fairly represent some of the tragedies that
are occurring in our everyday life.

"A man 60 years old falls and dislocates his finger, he goes to
the hospital, where in a short time he dies from blood
poisoning. * * * * * Another man 48 years old, many years a wine
merchant, whose great toe was severely crushed by a heavy man
stepping on it, was taken with blood-poisoning and in spite of
all treatment, even to the amputation of the leg, he soon
succumbed to the disease. * * * * * A young woman 24 years old,
picks a pimple on her chin and at once her face begins to swell.
In vain was all medical treatment, for in a few days she died in
terrible agony. * * * * * About a year ago there died in
Brooklyn, N. Y., a physician in his 38th year, who six days
previously received a slight scratch in his hand while
performing a post-mortem examination. All that medical science
could suggest was done to no avail. * * * * * In the summer of
1896 a young woman 22 years of age w