In short, it is upon this Foundation, that _Pliny_ (23) assures us, the _Scythians_ Poison’d their Arrows with the _Sanies_ of Vipers mixt with human Blood; the way of doing it _Aristotle_ (24) has at large related; and the _Tartars_ are said to use the like Trick to this Day. After the same manner the _Indians_ make use of the Venom of the Lizard, called _Gecco_; this Creature they hang up by the Tail, and by Whipping exasperate till it discharge its _Virus_, in which they tinge their Darts; and a very slight Wound with these Weapons is speedy Death (25). It is worth the while in the next Place to consider the Cure of this Mischief, which without all doubt ought to be by such External Mannagement of the Wound as may immediately destroy the infused Venom. Mr. _Boyle_ (26) experienced a hot Iron held as near the Place as the Patient could possibly endure it very effectual to this Purpose. But the same Method did not answer Expectation in the famous Case related by Monsieur _Charas_ (27). An extraordinary Virtue against this and other venomous Bites is ascribed to the _Snake-stones_ brought from the _East-Indies_, one of which is to be presently apply’d to the Part, and let stick till it drop off; these are said to be taken out of the Head of the Serpent called by the _Portugueze_, _Cobra de Capelo_; and to suck the Poison out of the Wound. S^r _Redi_ (28) made Trials with several of them, but found no Service from any. Yet _Baglivi_ (29) tells us of a terrible Bite of a Scorpion cured this way. Monsieur _Charas_ (30) his Pigeons all died, tho’ _these_ were immediately clapped on, and stuck close to the Wound: But Dr. _Havers_ saw a good Effect of _one_ upon a Dog, who tho’ severely bitten, suffered no Harm, nor any farther Mark of the Poison than a livid Circle round the Place. In plain Truth, _as_ these celebrated _Stones_ do not seem to be what it is pretended they are, but rather Factitious Bodies compounded, it may be, of Calcined Bones, and some Testaceous Matters mixt together; _so_ by Reason of their spongy and porous Texture, they do very readily adhere to any moistened Part of the Flesh, and imbibe whatsoever humidity they meet with. This their Quality any one may experience by holding one of them to the Roof of his Mouth; and it is upon this Score, that when put into Water, Bubbles are raised by the Air in their Interstices, which some have too fondly thought to be the Effects of their throwing out the Venom they had sucked in.