Venoms: Venomous Animals and Antivenomous Serum-therapeutics

9781465664105

213 pages

Library of Alexandria

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Overview

A large number of animals possess special glandular organs capable of secreting toxic substances called venoms. Sometimes these substances are simply discharged into the surrounding medium, and serve to keep off enemies (toad,salamander); sometimes they mingle with the fluids and digestive juices, and then play an important part in the nourishment of the animal that produces them (snakes); in other cases, again, they are capable of being inoculated by means of stings or teeth specially adapted for this purpose, and then they serve at once as a means of attack or defence, and as a digestive ferment (snakes, spiders, scorpions, bees). An animal is said to be venomous when it possesses the power of inoculating its venom. Venomous species are met with in almost all the lower zoological groups, in the Protozoa, Cœlenterates, Arthropods,Molluscs, and in a large number of Vertebrates (fishes, amphibians, and reptiles). The reptiles are best endowed in this respect, and it is in this class of creatures that we meet with the species most dangerous to man and to mammals in general. The study of their venom, too, is of considerable interest, since it should lead to the quest of means of protection sufficiently efficacious to preserve us from their attacks. Venomous reptiles are not always easy to distinguish from those devoid of any inoculatory apparatus. For this reason both classes alike have at all times inspired mankind with a lively dread, which is displayed among the various races in legends and religious beliefs. In ancient days the cult of the snake occupied a prominent place. In Genesis the serpent is the incarnation of the Evil One, tempting and deceitful. In Greece it was the symbol of wisdom and prudence. In Egypt it was associated with the Sacred Scarabæus and the flowers of the lotus to represent Immortality!