W O H
O W
S K R
How Rattler Venom Works ANTHONY PATTICHOT
How Rattler Venom Works Copyright Š 2014 by Anthony Pattichot All Rights Reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. First Printing, 2014. isbn 1997351298754 Granadil Publishing 33 Belderiver Ave St. Louis, Missouri 63121 Written and designed by Anthony Pattichot Printed in the United States of America
TABLE OF CONTENTS Venom Gland
1
Anatomy of the Venom System
2
Venom Route
3
Envenomation ( 30 minutes after bite )
5
Hemotoxin
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Envenomation ( 6-12 hours after bite )
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The Process of Necrosis
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Antivenom
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Colophon
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To my best friend, Roxy.
THE VENOM GLAND
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The venom gland is a modified salivary gland which contains a chemical mixture that may contain many proteins, enzymes and strongly basic peptides. Also found in this concoction are three types of toxins: Neurotoxin : Abrasively attacks the nervous system causing it to fail or drastically malfunction. Cytotoxin : Attacks and destroys cells, especially those found within the muscular system. Hemotoxin : Causes rupturing of blood cells which causes internal bleeding and massive hemorrhaging.
1
The main difference between the two terms is strictly the method of delivery. Venom is attached to a venom gland and is injected into the blood stream by means of fangs or a stinger. Venom is only harmful to the victim when injected into the blood stream. A poisonous creature secretes poison from the skin and and affects the victim through touch. The terms upon affliction is poisioned and envenomated.
2
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( 2 ) The venom then travels through the accessory gland, which regulates the amount of venom that is injected into the victim. Then, the venom goes through a more restrictive flow through the secondary venom duct.
( 3 ) The venom then travels through hollowed out fangs
and is injected into the victim, causing envenomation.
4
Envenomation (30 minutes after bite)
Within thirty minutes of envenomations, a severe and searing pain is noticable. Local soft tissue swelling spreads distally and proximally and can even spread to parts of the body that are unbitten..This is called edema. The hemotoxins will take effect, causing bruising of the skin. Much of the venom absorption takes place in the lymphatic system, thus regional lymphnodes will start to swell and feel tender after the bite. It is strongly recommended to seek medical attention and treatment with antivenom at this stage.
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On the s it in. This e of the bite, ed is ema sta rt redness a conditon in w hich swe s to set s e t in a r ou lli and soo n spread nd the site of t ng and he woun through d out the body.
5
HEAD
dizziness blurred vision headache fever
LYMPH NODES
swelling
RESPIRATORY laborious breathing
CARDIO-SYSTEM altered and abnormal pulse low blood pressure
SKIN numbness bleeding spots
GASTRO INTESTINAL vomiting nausea diarrhea
6
Hemotoxin
Hemotoxin in rattlesnake venom is actually a misnomer as it affects other areas as well as the blood. But its trademark is changing how the blood acts. In rattlesnake venom, the specific type of hemotoxin is called, hemorrhagin, which ruptures blood cells thereby eliminating the bloods ability to clot and deliver oxygen efficiently.
Healthy blood cells travel down a sound artery.
Hemotoxin introduced in bloodstream.
7
Another by - product of the hemorrhagin is the deterioration of the arterial walls. The heaviest damage sustained is to the renal arteries connected to the kidneys. Because of this degradation of healthy artery wall, blood leaks out into the surrounding areas. This is what is happening behind the massive bruising found within rattlesnake victims.
Blood cells rupturing due to hemorrhagin’s ( the type of hemotoxin ) destructive properties.
Walls of the artery are also damaged.
8
Envenomation ( 6–12 hours after bite ) If the snake bite goes untreated by a physician and without the aid of antivenom, the victim will lapse into a fever, have very low blood pressure, loss of limb due to neurotoxins, and severe necrosis at the site of the bite as well as in the renal tubes in the kidneys. If untreated beyond the six hour mark, death looms closer with each passing moment.
9
10
Antivenom When the antivenom is introduced into the bloodstream, the anitvenom’s antibodies seek out the venomous antigens and they bind to and neutralize them. Thus, eliminating the damaging effects of the venom. The liver and kidneys flush out any excess waste.
Venom molecule
11
Antivenom antibody
The antibodies engulf and neutralize the venom molecule.
The antibody signals for nearby assisstance.
Making antivenom is a long and tedious process. The snake handler milks the snake’s venom glands and collect a miniscule amount. It takes a snake handler three years and approximately 69,000 milkings to produce one pint of rattler venom. The venom is then injected into a test animal, typically a horse, due to the fact that they are found in many different environments and encounter many types of species. Soon the horse
is then injected with a chemical that acts as a catalyst for the horses to produce antibodies. The horses blood, now rich with antibodies, is then drawn and placed into a centrifuge. Once the antivenom is separated from the blood, it is then kept in refrigeration and awaits approval from the fda. Antivenom can cost up to $1600 per vial.
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This book was created by Anthony Pattichot under the supervision of Jen McKnight as an assignment in Advanced Problems in Graphic Design II in the spring semester of the year 2014 at the University of Missouri – St. Louis. Pages were composed in InDesign cs 6 using image files that were created in Adobe Illustrator cs 6.The typeface used throughout the publication is Verlag and Vitesse set in various weights. The drawn type is based off of Molle.
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