In 1944, English ophthalmic surgeon Major Harold Ridley, published a short paper in the British Journal of Ophthalmology on spitting snakes and an account of the composition and action of snake venom in general. From his experiences in wartime Ghana, Ridley described snake venom ophthalmia in a 30-year-old labourer, who was cutting grass when a Black-necked cobra spat venom toward the man's right eye from a four- or five-feet distance. Ridley treated the man and followed his case until the eye had fully recoveredafter about a week. In conclusion, after discussion on the therapeutic uses of snake venom, he conjectured that the diluted venom or a constituent of it might be used as a powerful anaesthetic in some cases of ophthalmic surgery.
