Are the hands useful for anything

Hint 1 of 4:

Did you INSPECT the SERPENT'S HEAD?

Hint 2 of 4:

Did you INSPECT a hand?

Hint 3 of 4:

'Save' someone by LIFTing a hand up (its a switch).

Hint 4 of 4:

If you don't, you can't get a skull without being poisoned.