snakebite

views updated May 18 2018

snakebite Result of an injection of potentially lethal snake venom into the bloodstream. There are three types of venomous snake: the Viperidae, subdivided into true vipers and pit vipers, whose venom causes internal haemorrhage; the Elapidae (including cobras, mambas, kraits), whose venom paralyzes the nervous system; and the Hydrophidae, Pacific sea snakes with venom that disables the muscles. Treatment for all three types is with anti-venoms.