How did the gunpowder and salt treat the rattlesnake bites for the pionners?

Pioneer settlers sometimes used gunpowder and salt as a rudimentary treatment for rattlesnake bites, applying a mixture of the two directly to the wound. The theory was that the salt would help draw out the venom, while the gunpowder was thought to cauterize the wound. However, this method lacked any scientific basis and could often lead to further injury or infection. Overall, it reflects the desperate and limited medical knowledge available to pioneers in the face of such dangers.