Correct Methods and Operating Procedures for Venom Collection from Snakes

There are two methods for collecting snake venom: "dead collection" and "live collection." "Dead collection" is a special *destructive method in which the venom glands are excised from the head of a venomous snake cut off by a processing facility, or from rear-fanged venomous snakes and sea snakes with low venom yield after they have been anesthetized and killed; it is used only occasionally under special circumstances. Generally, the "live collection" method is used so as to make full use of snake resources. Several "live collection" methods are briefly introduced below.

(1) Electrical stimulation venom collection method: This method uses a weak electrical stimulation device such as a "needle anesthesia instrument," with a specially made electrode to stimulate the inner wall of the snake's mouth. As soon as the snake receives electrical stimulation, it will immediately discharge venom due to electrical anesthesia. When selecting a "needle anesthesia instrument," one that is weak yet able to make the snake discharge venom is preferable; if the stimulation is too strong, it will affect the snake's health.

(2) Bite-dish venom collection method: The collection tool is a small glass dish or small porcelain saucer (spoon). When collecting venom, place the snake naturally on the workbench, hold the snake's neck with one hand, and with the other hand insert the glass dish or porcelain saucer into the snake's mouth; once the snake bites down, the venom will flow out, and when the venom stops flowing, remove the vessel or small porcelain saucer. This method is simple *convenient and easy to operate, and it can also be used for venomous snakes that have lost their fangs; the drawback is that the venom is liable to be contaminated by microorganisms *shed epithelial cells *mucus *sand and other impurities in the snake's mouth, and the amount of venom collected from each snake is not large. See Figure 34 for bite-dish venom collection.

(3) Bite-membrane venom collection method: The collection tool is a small glass funnel, with the funnel mouth firmly covered by a transparent nylon membrane with a certain degree of elasticity, and the end of the funnel tightly plugged with a rubber stopper. When collecting venom, hold the snake's neck with one hand, and with the other hand lightly touch the funnel edge to the snake's mouth; while the snake opens its mouth, after the venom has pooled, slightly twist the funnel to prompt it to release its bite, and take the opportunity to push out the funnel membrane. Each funnel can be used continuously until the nylon membrane is damaged or the tube can no longer store venom. This method is relatively simple, but it cannot be used for snakes that have lost their fangs. See Figure 35 for the bite-dish venom collection device and method.

(4) Negative-pressure venom collection method: This method is improved on the basis of the bite-membrane method. That is, the funnel mouth is covered with a layer of plastic film, the bottom of the funnel is connected to a centrifuge tube line through a rubber stopper, and the side tube of the funnel is connected to a water pump via a rubber tube; before venom collection, turn on the faucet of the water pump to draw air so that negative pressure forms inside the funnel. The operating method for venom collection is the same as the bite-membrane method, but this method is more effective for venomous snakes with low venom yield *viscous venom, such as vipers, but the membrane needs to be replaced frequently to ensure the negative-pressure effect, and it must not be used for venomous snakes with thick fangs.

(5) Pressure venom collection method: Hold the snake's neck with one hand so that the snake's head is placed above the venom container, and with the index *thumb fingers of the other hand push and squeeze the venom gland areas on both sides from back to front; the venom will flow out from the snake's mouth, and continue squeezing until no venom flows out. This method is easy to manipulate, and it can also be used for venomous snakes that have lost their fangs. If this method is combined with a venom collection device, the effect will be better. See Figure 36 for the venom collection device.

During the venom collection process of the above methods, if the mouth of the snake being collected from is found to be inflamed *red and swollen or has pus and blood, then venom collection should not be carried out; treatment should be given promptly, and collection should not be done until it is completely cured.