“_Blood Poisoning due to Snake Bite._--Case 9.: Mrs. ----; age, 52; was bitten by a poisonous snake--a copperhead--seventeen years ago. On the anniversary of the bite the arm would swell to more than twice its normal size and there would be pain, chills and fever. After a month of this the acute symptoms would disappear and the arm would show large scaly blotches which upon being removed would disclose a thin mucous liquid. Throughout the seventeen years pain was constant, being particularly acute in midsummer around the anniversary of the bite. This patient had consulted many physicians during the seventeen years of suffering without any relief. Large doses of narcotic remedies were necessary each day to subdue the pain. Twenty-four hours after the first injection of Hemo-Therapin all pain was dissipated. After four treatments the patient was considered well and there has been no return of any of the symptoms since the last treatment six months ago.” Hemo-Therapin is sold in ampules: 6 for $5 and 12 for $10, and a circular sent to a physician contained this typewritten note: “FEES.--While the physician’s fee is not regulated by this company, the physicians who use Hemo-Therapin get $5.00 and $10.00 for each treatment.”--(_From The Journal A. M. A., Jan. 5, 1918._) VENOSAL Report of the Council on Pharmacy and Chemistry The following report on Venosal has been adopted by the Council, and its publication authorized. W. A. Puckner, Secretary. “Venosal” is one of the products of the Intravenous Products Company, Denver, Colo. Its composition has been variously, and obscurely, described: “Venosal is a sterile solution representing 1 gm. (15.4 gr.) of salicylates in combination, together with colchicum.” “This is a product for intravenous use. The composition of which is Sodium Salicylate, 15.4 grs. (1 gm.), Iron Salicylate a minute quantity and the equivalent of approximately 2 grs. Dried Colchicum Root.” None of these “formulas” gives the quantity of the product containing the 1 gm. of salicylate, etc., but presumably it refers to the contents of 1 ampule or 20 c.c. This inference is in accord with the analysis of the product made in the Chemical Laboratory of the American Medical Association. The analysis also brought out the fact that the amount of iron in a given ampule was 0.0008 gm. (about 1/80 grain). This trace of iron in the presence of salicylate gives the product a purple color. Venosal is recommended for the treatment of “rheumatism,” meaning, the context would indicate, infectious rheumatic fever. As colchicum has no special action on this disease and as there is no apparent reason for the employment of the trace of iron present, these additions in fixed proportions are unscientific, if not absurd. According to the advertising matter: