snake bites?

Question

Need facts for novel: What would the medical effects be if a man was bitten on the fore head by a large cottonmouth, circa so. Miss.

Answer 1

meh, it works better than wikkipedia to ask here.

Cottonmouth venom-

Envenomation by A. p. piscivorus can be serious in terms of tissue death, however, its toxins are less lethal than those of most rattlesnakes. The lethal dose estimated of cottonmouth venom for a healthy human adult is about 150mg and their hemorrhagic effects are pronounced. Cottonmouths can also be huge snakes, with proportionately wide jaws, up to 0.75in, long fangs and venom-storage lumens which have yielded, from the largest individuals, over 1000mg of venom.

The venom of the cottonmouth is hemotoxic, causing swelling and necrosis near the site of the wound, and potentially death of the victim if treatment is not received promptly.Compared to other venomous snake species in its geographic range the venom of a cottonmouth is relatively weak and is unlikely to kill an otherwise healthy human adult.

Hemotoxins are toxins that destroy red blood cells (hemolysis), disrupt blood clotting, and/or cause organ degeneration and generalized tissue damage. The term 'hemotoxin' is to some degree a misnomer since toxins that damage the blood also damage other tissues. An injury due to a hemotoxic agent is often very painful, and permanent damage, such as loss of an affected limb, is possible even with prompt treatment.


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From my research, it appears our friend, the cottonmouth, has a necrotic effect on skin and underlying tissues, and affects the kidneys. It affects the blood most (look at last paragraph). My assumption is that, if bitten on the head, anc no medical attention taken, it would be lethal. Good luck with the novel.

Answer 2

that other guy is pretty quik with the wikipedia....love that wkikpedia....just a suggestion for your novel...how about the guy falling(work on that senario) and the cottonmouth sinks its fangs into his neck...a big snake may by hit or misss strike the carotid and that will be fatal asap...if u want to kill the poor cowboy asap...else forehead is an option but the sadist in me wants the jugular/carotids baby!!!!! let that sucker die in frothy heamorraghic gurgling death.....
ok..gotta go and lie down now..my meds are making me loopy.....
goodluck...and remember...neck...neck....neck.....

Answer 3

You are looking for facts for a novel and this is where you come? Your research skills are lacking.