§ SIR JOHN HAYasked the Under Secretary of State for India, If he will state to the House the number of persons killed annually in India by Snake-bites; and, whether any more active steps are about to be taken for the destruction of poisonous reptiles, as well as for ascertaining methods of cure?
MR. GRANT DUFFIn reply, Sir, to the hon. Baronet's first Question, I am sorry to say that 14,529 persons would appear to have lost their lives by snake-bites alone in the year 1869. The later Returns we have received do not distinguish deaths caused by snakes from deaths caused by other dangerous animals; but in 1871 the total deaths caused by dangerous animals amounted to 18,078. In reply to his second Question, I have to say that the subject of the destruction of snakes and of the medical measures to be adopted in consequence of snake-bites is occupying much attention in India, and I think that Dr. Fayrer's very remarkable book, of which 340 copies have been sent to India for distribution, is likely to produce excellent results.