Table 3 Charms related to snakebites, according to the inhabitants of the county of Pedra Branca, Bahia State, Brazil.
Charms | Snake species | Number of individuals who | |
|---|---|---|---|
Believe | Do not believe | ||
If the snake attacks, it has to be killed and hung in order to make the poison drops to the ground. Thus, the patient heals faster and does not hurt so much. It is worse for the patient if the snake keeps moving.* | Snakes in general | 5 | 2 |
When bitten, the person has to go immediately to an anthill and eat some purple earth. If the snake comes first and eats before the person, then the victim will be weakened forever. | Rain frog snakes | 8 | |
When bitten, the person has to go immediately to an anthill and eats some purple earth. If the snake comes first and eats before the person, then the victim gets blind and dies. | Worm lizards | 6 | |
A whole coral snake is put inside a bottle of sugar cane brandy and this liquid is drunk to relieve the symptoms of the poisoning.* | Coral snakes | 11 | 2 |
Snakes do not bite pregnant women. If you speak the name of a woman who is pregnant three times, then the snake stays quiet, waiting. Pregnant women control snakes. | Snakes in general | 3 | |
If a pregnant woman makes a knot in her skirt, the snake becomes calm and does not bite. | Snakes in general | 6 | |
People carry different objects in order to repel snakes. | Snakes in general | 27 | 7 |