|
Snake-stones, also known as a viper's stones, black stones, '' schwarze Steine'', '' pierres noire'', ''piedritas negras''〔 〕 or serpent-stones,〔 are animal bones or stones used as folk medicine for snake bite in Africa, South America and Asia. Dr. Linnea Smith from the Yanamono Medical Clinic in the remote Amazon basin of northeastern Peru wrote 〔 :The black stone is a fondly held concept in our area, where snakebites are common and sometimes fatal. ... when one lives far from ambulances, med-flights, hospitals, doctors, and when one is confronted with a potentially lethal problem, anything seems better than nothing. Personally, I’d rather have antivenin. Then again, if nothing else is available, what is one to do? And placebo effect is undoubtedly real. ... In any case, better that a person stricken by a snake have some hope than feel completely without recourse... Experts are concerned that relying on a black stone may prevent snakebite victims from seeking appropriate medical help.〔 No scientific study has shown that black stones per se are effective, but, most guidelines for snakebite first-aid stress the need for keeping the victim calm (because acute stress reaction increases blood flow and endangers the victim, and panic is infectious and can compromise judgment). == Descriptions == Accounts differ widely on how to make and use a 'black stone'. Dr. Linnea Smith reports that in Peru, a black stone is a small charred cow bone, "applied to the site of a poisonous snakebite and tied firmly in place. It is left there for several days, during which time it supposedly draws the venom from the wound. Once the poison is all removed, the ‘stone’ loosens of its own accord and falls off. ... despite the fact that the state nursing course book admits that no evidence has ever been produced to document the effectiveness of the black stone, each student is required to make ... one ... as a part of the first aid module."〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Piedra Negra )〕 Persian/Iranian writer Kazwini describes the snake-stone as being the size of a small nut. An injury inflicted by a venomous creature is to be immersed in warm water or sour milk. The snake-stone is then dropped into the liquid to supposedly draw out the poison. Although called a 'stone', in the Congo a Black Stone is often made from animal bones. When taken from snakes, it is usually from the head, but also said to be extracted from the tail. The steps suggested in an African leaflet〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Black Stone )〕 are: * Choose a large dry cow thigh bone * Cut it into small pieces * Smooth them with sandpaper * Wrap the pieces in foil * Place in a charcoal fire for 15 to 20 minutes 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Snake-stones」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|