Adichillath

Snake-stones: A Brief discussion

Some curiosities led me to search the descriptions about ‘snake stones’ in the internet. The results surprised me a lot. Because many considered it as a legendary thing or an unscientific method of treating snake poisons. To them it delays the seeking of appropriate medical care. But, my experience is entirely different. I have more than 30 years of personal experience in connection with ‘snake stones’, especially its’ use and effects of treatment. So I thought of sharing a few ideas of mine about it. The majority of materials I found in the internet, about the snake stones, are dubious, fabricated or incorrect. Many didn’t seem to have any first hand information or knowledge about it. I do have many good friends including doctors, nurses and ordinary people who are still using snake stones for the treatment of snake bites.

Recently I got an opportunity to witness the treatment of a snake bite. It was a serious viper bite case. Around 11 P.M, the relatives brought the patient to a friend of mine who is an expert in the field of treating snake poisons. They told me that the incident has occurred around 8 P.M., and the patient then is said to have run 1.5 K.M to report the case to his relatives. For, it happened in a remote area and there was no possibility of getting any vehicle. If such a case is reported in a medical hospital, the doctor normally gives anti-venom injection and soon the dialysis will follow. Even then the result can not be predicted. But here to my surprise, my friend used four snake stones to treat the patient. He told me that he always uses more stones if the case is so critical. To be frank, just after one hour the patient returned home very healthy (two more days he visited my friend and replaced the stones twice). I know, you may sometimes disregard this experience of mine saying it is unbelievable. But I have all the evidences and details.

Snake stones are also called as black-stones (may be because of its color), serpent-stones and magic-stones, etc. It is man-made and can solely be prepared under the special supervision and guidance of an expert Guru. This traditional medicine is also used for the attack of other poisonous creatures like scorpions, centipedes, poisonous thorns, certain skin diseases and even for skin development. This discussion of mine is aimed at brining the snake stones from the clenches of legends and to give a positive outlook to it. I can also furnish its’ method of treatment, but unable to reveal the secret of its preparation or components. As you know, nobody will reveal the secret of traditional medicines. The normal custom of sharing such knowledge to the next generations depends on the personal decision of the one who possesses the knowledge; they may hand over the secret in due time when they found a worthy person for that. As far as I know the snake stones are now available in countries like India, Cylon, Belgium and in certain parts of Africa.

It is true that there is no one who is not afraid of the mortiferous attacks of poisonous creatures like snakes. Even today, in this 21st century, in spite of the marvellous progress of medical science, much money and energy is spent to save the lives of your dear ones from snake’s attack, and that often with no results. P. Antoninus, an Indian Carmelite priest, is said to have developed this method of treatment and the sole authority of it. It is heard that he got this secret from a Belgium Jesuit missionary centuries back. Though we don’t know very much about the real brain behind the invention of this snake stones and the treatment, Fr. Antoninus is the one who developed and popularized this treatment in India. In many parts of Africa these Indian snake stones are in great demand. The Christian missionaries who are working in African villages are using these stones to save the life of hundreds and thousands. It is heard that in North Indian villages, the snake stones from Belgium are also rarely used for the treatment of snake poisons. However, the majority of persons who are committed to fight against the snake poisons (and also the poisons of other creatures) are using Indian snake stones for the treatment.

In short, the snake stones are excellent for the treatment of snake poisons. It can be used, as I mentioned above, not only for snake-bites but also for the attacks of other poisonous creatures like scorpions, centipedes, poisonous thorns, certain skin diseases and skin development. My experience enables me to say that thousands and thousands of patients escaped from death just by using this miraculous stone. Many medical doctors even reported from their own experience that snake stones are very good in the treatment of snake poisons. But, it is true that the medical sciences still didn’t accept its claim of success. The important reasons I found are: (i) no proper evidence has ever been produced to document the effectiveness of snake stones; (ii) snake stones are mainly used in remote villages; (iii) nobody takes the initiative to prove scientifically its effectiveness against the anti-venom treatment or perhaps dialysis (in the case of viper-bites); (iv) the treatment is done without any publicity as a charity or service; (v) nobody wants to compete it with today’s advanced medical science, etc. However, there are many reported events of success in this treatment as against the helplessness and failures of the medical science. So the snake stones are regarded by millions of people with awe and reverence. It is used as a treatment for snake bite in many part of the world - Africa, South America and Asia, etc. Other than these snake stones, as we know, several other herbal medicines are also used for the treatment of snake poisons. There is nothing magical or legendary thing in it. The snake stones are just the size of a small nut.

Finally, the procedure of treatment: For any snake-bite, the snake stone should be applied as early as possible on the bitten spot or somewhere close to it. Before applying the stones, make a small wound with a new blade (the wounds should be always in the legs or hands of the patient, it should never be in the vital parts of the body). Then apply the stone on the wound from where one or two drops of blood sprout. Press the stone tightly with the finger for about a minute. This enables the stone to get direct contact with the blood and it begins to absorb the poison. Normally the stones stick there, but to avoid falling it down, use a piece of bandage tape to fix it. Depending on the intensity of poison many stones can be used at a time to treat the patient. After 12-24 hours these stones are replaced with new ones. Repeat the procedure until all the poison is drawn out. The stone should be on the body until the patient has fully recovered. Used stones can be used again by putting it in the unboiled cow milk for half an hour, then wash in pure water and dry it in shade. During the time of this treatment the patients can sleep, can have their daily meals, vegetables and fruits. But it is better not to take fish, oil, milk, and sour things.

Dr. S. Adichillath —Preceding unsigned comment added by Adichillath (talk • contribs) 09:37, 5 July 2008 (UTC)

Improving the Snake-stones article

Dear Dr. S. Adichillath, thank you for your contribution to the article on Snake-stones. It's very interesting to hear a first-hand account of these stones actually being used.

Since Wikipedia can be edited by anybody, they have a policy of Wikipedia:No original research "This means that Wikipedia is not the place to publish your own opinions, experiences, or arguments."

I think this is why your contribution was already removed by somebody.

For the same reason, I've removed it again from the main article (but I left a link to your personal account).

Do you have references to books or articles that could be used to verify the claims made in your contribution? Without Wikipedia:Verifiability the Wikipedia will not be taken seriously, so it's important that we respect this rule. I'd be happy to help improve the article if you have good references.

--Hamster128 (talk) 10:26, 23 July 2008 (UTC)