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Joseph Ewart, The Poisonous Snakes of India. For the Use of the Officials and Others Residing in the Indian Empire, London: J. & A. Churchill, 1878

36 leaves, pp. [8] (title, imprint, 2pp. preface, contents, blank, subscribers, blank), 1 2-64. With 21 plates, of which 19 are chromolithographs (one, pl. 2, is a double plate of a cobra) and 2 lithographs finished in gum Arabic; publisher’s full red pebbled cloth with title and author gilt within a rounded gilt frame on the front board and title gilt to the spine; new endpapers.
10 x 7.5 in (25.5 x 19 cm)

The Poisonous Snakes is an authoritative guide that serves both as a practical manual and a scientific reference for understanding venomous snakes with the explicit aim of equipping colonial officials and residents with essential knowledge to mitigate the risks posed by snakes in the Indian subcontinent. The book provides a detailed examination of snake species known for their venom, focusing on identification, habitats, and physiological effects of their bites.

It derives its plates (reduced) from Sir Joseph Fayrer's Thanatophidia with the objective of establishing a comprehensive compendium that could be implemented locally in the event of an imminent threat. The function of chromolithography was essential for this task, as the precise coloring of the snakes can occasionally be used to differentiate between a lethal and harmless snake. Therefore, the consistency of coloration was essential and could not have been achieved through conventional hand coloring. The plates are indeed vibrant, with the king cobra (the double plate) being depicted in an almost surreal manner. The book was in high demand, as evidenced by the thousand-strong list of subscribers. The subscription list gives the number of copies sent to each area: Government of India 115 copies; Madras 50 copies; Punjab 50 copies; Kashmir 10 copies; Baroda 23 copies, etc.

The book includes descriptive accounts, a glossary for technical terms, and observations on snake venoms’ medical implications, contributing to both zoological knowledge and public safety during that era. It remains a significant historical document, reflecting the scientific and societal concerns of its time and important for collectors and researchers interested in herpetology.

Sir Joseph Ewart (1831–1906)
Sir Joseph Ewart (1831–1906), a distinguished physician and scholar, wrote this guide with the explicit aim of equipping colonial officials and residents with essential knowledge to mitigate the risks posed by snakes in the Indian subcontinent.

He advanced through the ranks of British India by way of the East India Company, ultimately becoming the Principal of the Calcutta Medical College, the President of the Faculty of Medicine at Calcutta University, and the deputy Surgeon-General of the Indian Medical Service. His career in colonial medicine was marked by significant contributions to public health, particularly in the areas of dysentery and snake attacks.

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