Snake bites

Phenolic resins were the first totally synthetic plastics invented. They were commercialized by 1910 [I]. Their history begins before the development of the structural theory of chemistry and even before Kekule had his famous dreams of snakes biting their tails. It commences with Gerhardt s 1853 observations of insoluble resin formation while dehydrating sodium salicylate [2]. These were followed by similar reports on the behavior of salicylic acid derivatives under a variety of reaction conditions by Schroder et al. (1869), Baeyer (1872), Velden (1877), Doebner (1896 and 1898), Speyer (1897) and Baekeland (1909-1912) [3-17]. Many of these early reports appear to involve the formation of phenolic polyesters rather than the phenol-aldehyde resins that we think of today. For... 

Administration of preformed anhbodies, taken from animals, flxm pooled human serum, or flom human cell-lines is often used to treat an existing infechon (e.g. tetanus, diphtheria) or condition (venomous snake-bite). Pooled human serum may also be administered prophylachcally, within a slow-release vehicle, for those persons entering parts of the world where diseases such as hepatitis A are endemic. Such administrations confer no long-term immunity and will interfere with conciurent vaccinalion procedures. 

Next time you are out in the wild and mosquitoes are hovering around you, stick a sprig of elder behind your ear to ward them off. To ward off flies and gnats, crush elder leaves and rub them over your face or hat. The effect is said to last about an hour and then needs to be repeated. Should you get stung by a bee, remove the stinger and rub the affected area with crushed elder leaves to bring quick relief. Historically, snake bites have also been treated with elderberries or roots infused in wine. 

It is medicinally used from Korea to Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam. In Korea, the plant is used as an aphrodisiac for males and the elderly. In Japan, a decoction of the root is drunk to treat cough, invigorate, and treat tuberculosis. In Taiwan, the plant is an external remedy for snake bites. In Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, the roots are used to treat bronchitis, amnesia, and to stimulate memory and urination. The antitussive property is very probably owed to polygalasaponins, which are known to abound in the plant (24-26). It would be interesting to know whether the tonic properties mentioned here are owed to serotoninergic mechanisms. What is the alkaloidal content of this herb ... 

Polyclonal antibody preparations have been used for several decades to induce passive immunization against infectious diseases and other harmful agents, particularly toxins. The antibody preparations are usually administered by direct i.v. injection. While this affords immediate immunological protection, its effect is transitory, usually persisting for only 2-3 weeks (i.e. until the antibodies are excreted). Passive immunization can be used prophylactically (i.e. to prevent a future medical episode) or therapeutically (i.e. to treat a medical condition that is already established). An example of the former would be prior administration of a specific anti-snake toxin antibody preparation to an individual before they travel to a world region in which these snakes are commonly found. An example of the latter would be administration of the anti-venom antibody immediately after the individual has experienced a snake bite. 

A snake biting its own tail seems a far remove from structural theory, but how many scientific advances arise in just such ways ... 

Other plants known to contain psychoactive compounds include hellebore, which was used for centuries in Europe to treat mania, violent temper, mental retardation and epilepsy. However, a drug of major importance in modern psychopharmacology arose from the discovery by medicinal chemists of the alkaloids of Rauwolfia serpentina, a root which had been used in the Indian subcontinent for centuries, not only for the treatment of snake bite but also for alleviating "insanity". Understandably, the mechanism of action of reserpine, the alkaloid purified from Rauwolfia serpentina, helped to lay the basis to psychopharmacology by demonstrating how the depletion of central and peripheral stores of biogenic amines was correlated with a reduction in blood pressure and tranquillization. 

Finely chop the glands with a razor blade or pulverize in a blender. Extract the adrenalin into a small excess of hot H2O concentrate in a vacuum. Remove the salts and proteins (if proteins are not removed, they will give the same effect as blood poisoning from a rattle snake bite, but worse) by precipitating with alcohol and remove this precipitate by filtration. The filtrate is then distilled in vacuo to remove the adrenalin (1 would perform the filtration above, at room temp). Add a little ammonia to precipitate the active compound and filter from the water. The amount of ammonia depends on the amount of substance. To experiment, to get the proper amount, add a very little amount of ammonia to the distillate and filter off any precipitate if any forms. Add a little more ammonia and filter. Repeat until no more precipitate is formed, remember the amount of ammonia used and use this amount on the same amount of filtrate during the extraction of the next batch. 

The clinical features depend upon the type of snake bite. There are three main patterns neurotoxic, as with elapidae such as cobras and kraits vasculotoxic with alteration in blood coagulation as with vipers and myotoxic as with sea snakes although they are all often complicated by local tissue damage. The severity of poisoning will depend on the amount and potency of venom injected and the patient s general health. 

Ecuador. The Jivaros use the leaf juice for indisposition, chills, and snake bites and to treat pulmonary ailments. The Aguarunas apply leaf juice by clyster, alone or mixed with ayahuasca, to induce vomiting before tobacco-ayahuasca enema. The Kulina customarily smoke all night when taking ayahuasca L... 

Peru. Decoction of the leaf with ayahuasca beverage (Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis) is taken orally for hallucinating effect during shamanic training. A diet of cooked plantain and smoked fish follows each use . Hot water extract of the dried flower and leaf is used externally for snake and spider bites . The Witotos and Boras used the fresh leaves as poultice over boils and infected wounds. The Tikuna men mix the crushed leaves with oil from palms as a hair dressing to prevent baldness. The Jivaros use the tobacco juice for indisposition, cold, chills, and snake bites and to treat pulmonary ailments ... 

Vipers, Cobras and Kraits are the common poisonous snakes and in India 40,000 to 50,000 deaths recorded per year due to snake bite. 

Snake bite (coral snake) Snake bite (pit vipers)... 

Snake bite (coral snake) Antivenin (Micrurus fulvius), equine At least 3-5 vials (30-50 mL) IV initially within 4 hours after the bite. Additional doses may be required. Neutralizes venom of eastern coral snake and Texas coral snake. Serum sickness occurs in almost all patients who receive > 7 vials. 

Acacia confusa Merrili Xiang Si Shu (Black cutch) (bark) Amino acids.55 Externally to stop bleeding, treat snake bite. 

Lobelia chinensis L. China Lobeline, lobelanine, lobelanidine, isolobelamine (lobeline has been approved by the FDA to curb the tobacco habit).33-50-71 This herb may be toxic. Diuretic, increase respiration via stimulation of carotid chemoreceptors. Treat snake bites, insecticide, reduce swellings, depurative, antirheumatic, antisyphilitic. 

N.A. Strophanthus gratus (Waliich Hook, ex Benth.) Ball. S. kombe L. Cardiac glycosides99 Treat snake bite, delay blood clotting. A mild heart tonic, improve heart efficiency. 

Combrelaceae Combreium Southern Africa chesl coughs, syphilis, aphrodisiac, diarrhoea, bilharziasis, fever, anthelmintic, tieadaches, dysentery, dressing wounds, snake bites, vaginal orifice reduction [8, 10-131... 

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