São Paulo, Poica-Weiss, 1914. Large 8vo (23.3 x 16.0 cm). Title in red and black, 319 pp.; two pages with text illustrations (mainly detailed snake heads); 28 plates of which 13 in full colour offset printing. Contemporary half morocco over marbled boards. Spine with five raised bands. Marbled endpapers.

Written by the Brazilian physician Vital Brazil Mineiro da Campanha (1865-1950) famous for his discovery of a versatile anti-venom serum used against the bites of snakes of the genera Crotalus (rattlesnakes), Bothrops (pit vipers) and Elaps (coral snakes). Brazil was Director of the Serum Therapy Institute of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. Due to Brazil's efforts, snake bite mortality decreased from 25-30% to a mere 2% (Adler). This is the expanded, updated second edition, translated by J. Maibon. All editions are very uncommon, if not rare. Provenance: Inscribed on the first blank by Arthur L. Guerra, stating that this book was presented to him by the author, during the Second Pan American Scientific Congress at Washington [DC] in December 1915. Printed record, stating purchase in 2010 from Frank Mikesh Natural History Books mounted on front free endpaper recto. Boards and spine a bit worn at edges; binding a bit weak, one plate with an old repair, mostly visible on the blank verso; otherwise, however very good and complete. Adler 2, pp. 129-130. Neither in Cat. BM(NH), nor in Nissen, ZBI.