Figure 1-8. Teeth marks of
Figure 1-9. Fang marks of poisonous
nonpoisonous snakes.
pit viper snakes.
d. DO NOT GIVE the patient any alcoholic beverages, stimulants such as
coffee, or sedation. While certain analgesics may decrease the pain, they may also
increase the effects of the toxin. Do not allow the ingestion of foodstuffs. The patient
should be advised against smoking. If ice is available, place in ice pack over the wound
and it will probably be effective for the first 30 minutes after the bite. Do not place an
extremity directly into ice (DO NOT freeze the tissue). Transport the patient to a
medical treatment facility as soon as possible. Exercise caution regarding placement of
the arm if the patient is being moved by a stretcher. If the bite is on the hand or arm, it
may already be swelling and the stretcher straps would increase the pressure and
possibly cut off circulation. Take the dead reptile (or a description of the reptile if the
reptile escaped) along with the patient.
e. In certain cases, trained medical personnel may attempt to remove some of
the venom by incision and suction following these actions. A loose constricting band is
applied, the pulse is checked after the constricting band is applied, the pulse is checked
after the constricting band is applied each time, the site of the bite is cleansed with
water or antiseptic (NOT after first hour), and a determination is made whether to incise
and suction the wound. Trained medical personnel can incise within 10 minutes after
the bite but not after one hour. The incision and suction should be used ONLY if the
patient was bitten by a pit viper, if not more than 30 minutes have elapsed since the
patient was bitten, and the patient cannot reach a physician within one hour after being
bitten. Incision and suction should NOT be performed if the bite is on the hand, toe, or
neck. If the bit is over a joint and if a mechanical suction device is not available and the
rescuer has sores or other wounds on the inside of his mouth or on his tongue, do not
incise and suction.
NOTE:
As a general rule, suctioning by mouth is not recommended, not because of
the possibility that the poison will enter a cut in the mouth but because the
human mouth contains so many toxic bacteria that the bite could become
secondarily infected.
MD0588
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