Snakes Snakebite And Envenoming In Sri Lanka

Snakebites are well-known medical emergencies in many parts of the world especially in rural areas. Agricultural workers and children are most affected. The incidence of snakebite mortality is particularly high in South-East Asia. Rational use of snake anti-venom can substantially reduce mortality and morbidity due to snake bites. These guidelines are a revised and updated version of those published in 2011. The geographical coverage extends from India in the west to DPR Korea and Indonesia in the east Nepal and Bhutan in the north and to Sri Lanka and Indonesia in the south and south-east. Snakes inhabiting the Indonesian islands east of Wallace?s line (West Papua and Maluku Islands) are part of the Australasian elapid fauna differing from those west of this line. This publication aims to pass on a digest of available knowledge about all clinical aspects of snake-bite to medically trained personnel including medical doctors nurses dispensers and community health workers. They aim to provide suffcient practical information to allow medically trained personnel to assess and treat patients with snake-bites at different levels of the health service.

The various chapters of this book contain much information on the identification of the dangerous venomous snakes in this region and attempts to review the various aspects of snakebite treatment as practised in the various countries. An ideal method of treatment is suggested and described in the last chapter. Whenever possible, distribution maps, local names, local practices and the instruction sheets enclosed with the antivenom vials are given. The information reflects the exact situation in each country and will hopefully be of help to researchers and medical personnel in planning future strategies concerning snakebite and treatment.

This is a comprehensive monograph on the problems of intoxication incurred by snake venom. This publication is primarily intended for those at all levels of health care, for members of rescue teams, surgeries and emergency hospitals, as well as specialised workplaces and intensive care units. Providing didactic instructions for first aid and treatment procedures, information is also presented on venomous snakes, the fundaments of their morphology and behaviour, snakebite prevention, the composition of snake venom, symptoms of envenoming, plus first aid in the event of snakebite for non-professionals, travellers, terrain biologists, and breeders. This book features an updated alphabetical list of types and sub-types of all venomous snakes, including their home ranges, as well as a comprehensive index, list of abbreviations, glossary, and colour picture insert with one hundred photographs of venomous snakes.

This book provides detailed and updated knowledge about medically important ‘Big Four’ venomous snakes of India (Indian spectacled cobra, Indian common krait, Indian Russell’s viper, and Indian saw-scaled viper). This book essentially covers the snakebite problem in the world with particular reference to Asia and India. It discusses the evolution and systematics of venomous snakes, emphasizing ‘Big Four’ venomous snakes of India; the evolution and composition of venoms determined by traditional biochemical and modern proteomic analyses. It also describes the pharmacological properties of enzymatic and non-enzymatic toxins of ‘Big Four’ venomous snakes of India. Different chapters discuss exciting topics such as species-specific and geographical differences in venom composition and its impact on pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of snakebite envenomation in India, biomedical application of Indian snake venom toxins; production and quality assessment of commercial antivenom, prevention, and treatment of snakebite in India, adverse effects of antivenom including strategies to combat antivenom reactions inpatient. This book caters to toxinologists, pharmacologists, zoologists, antivenom manufacturers, biochemists, clinicians, evolutionary biologists, herpetologists, and informed non-specialists interested to know about the Indian snake venoms.

This is the latest book in the Venom and Toxin Series of publications produced by the Venom and Toxin Research Group, National University of Singapore. Containing chapter contributions by international authorities in the field covering some 13 countries in the Asia-Pacific region and lavishly illustrated, the work represents perhaps the most comprehensive and up-to-date material published on the subject in the last 15 years.