THE EFFECTIVENESS OF TOURNIQUET, INCISION AND SUCTION IN SNAKE VENOM REMOVAL
Abstract
Rattlesnake venom (C. adamanteus) was injected into 141 mongrel dogs and tourniquet, incision and suction therapy (T, I+S) carried out. The fluid recovered during therapy was bio-assayed in mice for venom content. Results indicated that when T, I+S was instituted immediately, 22-44 per cent of the injected venom was removed provided the incisions reached the area of venom injection. When there was a delay prior to the onset of therapy, there was a rapid decrease in (over) the venom recovered. With subcutaneously injected venom, 17 per cent was removed after a delay of 15 minutes, and 10 per cent after a delay of one-half hour. Only 3 per cent of intramuscularly injected venom was recovered after a delay of 15 minutes. Studies with the U. S. Navy Snakebite Suction Kit indicated that the suction pump contained in the kit removed 18 per cent of injected venom under the conditions of the experiment. The studies also indicated that intramuscularly injected venom was of more serious consequence than that injected subcutaneously. It was concluded that incision and suction therapy, if it is to result in significant vensom recovery, must be instituted immediately and the incisions must reach the site of venom deposition. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1960
- Accession Number
- AD0248662
Entities
People
- R.s. Leopold
- T.w. Jr. Merriam