Venomous snakes - medical aspects.

Date:
1950
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Credit

Venomous snakes - medical aspects. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Source: Wellcome Collection.

About this work

Description

A general discussion of venomous snakes which, by means of diagrams and pictures of living snakes, describes their classification and characteristics, snake venoms and their effects, and the treatment of snake bites. 2 segments.

Publication/Creation

UK : Wellcome Foundation, 1950.

Physical description

1 encoded moving image (15 min.) : sound, color

Duration

00:11:03

Copyright note

Wellcome Trust; 2009

Terms of use

Unrestricted
CC-BY

Language note

In English

Creator/production credits

Made by Wellcome Foundation Film Unit. Script by Dr C.J. Hackett, directed, photographed and edited by Douglas Fisher and narrated by Carleton Hobbs. Made with the co-operation of Dr H.W. Parker of the British Museum, Mr J.W. Lester of London Zoo and Dr C.H. Kellaway of the Wellcome Foundation.

Contents

Segment 1 Opening credits. A snake is seen moving about in a tank as the narrator talks of the danger of snake bites and progression in the development of treatment of venomous snake bites. He then describes the characteristics of the different groups of venomous snakes. A snake specimen is shown and its fangs and venom secreting glands are pointed out. A classification tree shows where snakes sit in the reptile family, and further trees list all the venomous snakes contained within the two venomous species Colubridae and Viperidae. The skulls of an Opisthoglypha snake and Indian cobra are seen. The different characteristics of the upper surfaces of the heads of a cobra and vipers are pointed out. Next, footage of different live snakes is seen. First, a back-fanged Colubrid; Thelotornis Kirklandii, from South Africa. Then: a Hydrophine; Pelamis Platurus from the Indian Ocean and an Elapine; Naja Naja from India. The latter is an Indian cobra and is seen making its striking motion with its hood up. Time start: 00:00:00:00 Time end: 00:05:54:10 Length: 00:05:54:10
Segment 2 The next footage of a live snake is of a Viperine; Bitis Gabonica from Africa. It is seen moving along the floor and the narrator points out that when making this movement the pattern on its body 'gives the curious appearance of legs'. Next a Crotaline, Crotalus Horridus from North America is seen. This is a rattle snake. Then a hand is seen manipulating a live snake's head so that it bites down onto a glass plate and secretes its venom. The film then deals with the effects of a venomous snake bite. A table lists the typical effects of different species' bites. Treatment of bites is discussed; first the puncture wound should be found. An example of a puncture pattern is seen. An illustration of a bitten leg is used to explain the course of treatment. A tourniquet is placed above the knee and the bitten area is washed. Incisions are made through the fang marks and nearby to allow venom to escape. Then suction is applied by suction cups. The narrator claims that lethal doses can be removed in this way. A list summarises the steps needed to treat snake bites. End credits. Time start: 00:05:54:10 Time end: 00:11:02:24 Length: 00:05:08:14

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