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THE DEATH ADDER (ACANTHOPHIS ANTARCTICUS): THE EFFECT OF THE BITE AND ITS TREATMENT
Author(s) -
Campbell C. H.
Publication year - 1966
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1966.tb97634.x
Subject(s) - citation , public health , medicine , library science , pathology , computer science
The early Australian settlers called the snake "the death adder" because of "its hideous aspect" and "its deadly effect" (Bennett, 1834). The "deadly effect" of the snake seems to have been based on the effects of its bite on domestic animals and its bad reputation among the Abor igines (Cunningham, 1827 ; Bennett, 1834; Govett, 1836), for fatal snake bites were very uncommon among the early settlers in Australia (Tench, 1793; Bland. 1861) . Another common name for the snake was "the deaf adder" (CunnIngham, 1827; Berncastle, 1862-1863). This name characterized its sluggish, torpid nature and as it did not move out of the way like other snakes it was thought not . to hear (Cunningham, 18~7) . However, the Mekeo natives of the Kairuku sub-dIstrIct of Papua call this snake ati, whIch means "Sharp-eyed", Indicating that perhaps it is not always sluggish and torpid.