snake bites

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snake bites

Bob was walking in the woods one day when his life was put in great

danger. He had just stepped over a log when he felt a sharp sting

on the back of his leg. He looked down and saw two small puncture

wounds on his leg. The stinging sensation instantly went throughout

his body and that was when he saw a snake still laying beside the

log he had just stepped over. Bob had many questions running

through his head. He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know if the

snake was poisonous. Bob began to panic. What next? Is Bob going

to live? We will find out later but first lets learn more about the

dangers of snakebites.

What are snake bites?

Snake bites are wounds inflicted by the mouth of a snake. A

wound from a snake with short teeth and no fangs may look like a

series of scratches or tiny punctures. The twin puncture wounds

usually associated with snakebites appear when the paired fangs of

a fanged snake break through the skin.(Encarta 99)

Snakebites from nonpoisonous snakes are not serious but should

be cleansed with an antiseptic to prevent infection. The bite of a

poisonous snake, which can inject venom into the body, may cause

a burning pain usually spreads rapidly from the place where you

have been bitten. Swelling and color changes in the skin follow soon

after. A person may feel feverish, thirsty, and sick at their stomach.

They may even vomit.(Diseases-Encyclopedia)

Bites by coral snakes produce somewhat different symptoms,

including numbness, vision problems, and difficulty

swallowing.(Diseases-Encyclopedia)

The victim of a snakebite should seek first aid promptly. An

attempt should be made to identify the snake if it can be done

safely. First aid measures should focus on keeping the victim quiet

so that the heart rate remains normal, thereby slowing the spread of

venom in the bloodstream. The area of the bite should be kept

below the level of the heart. The victim should seek medical

attention immediately. Depending upon the victim’s symptoms and

the species of the snake, the physician may administer antivenin, a

preparation that helps to neutralize the venom and minimize its

harmful effects.(Encarta96)

The venom of poisonous snakes is produced and stored in

specialized glands within the snake’s head. In the United States,

there are four types of poisonous snakes: coral snakes,

rattlesnake...

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...you maintain a private or laboratory collection of live venomous

species, keep all cages under lock and key; rooms where such

cages are located should have a double door and vestibule, be completely

visible through glass paneling from the outside and be off-limits to all but

authorized personnel. If a snake appears missing from a cage you may be

able to locate it before entering the room in preparation of re-securing it.

Such rooms should be completely sealed. No open or screened windows

and no "mouse-holes" or pipe holes through which a snake can escape.

Sink drains should be also be capped and toilets, if present, always kept

covered.

8. Finally if you deal with venomous snakes always make sure you

have or know where to locate a supply of specific antivenom for the species

you are involved with.(Snakebite Emergency Webpage)

Unfortunately Bob didn’t know any of this first aid information. He passed

out in the woods and had no way to get help. He died About three hours

after being bitten by a large rattle snake. I hope you have read this

information thoroughly, you may encounter a snake the next time you leave

the house will you know what to do.

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