The Venom of the Boomslang (Dispholidus Typus): In Vivo and in Vitro Studies

Summary

An account is given of the effects of boomslang venom in man. Evidence was found of a fibrinolytic state apparently secondary to the coagulant action of the venom. These features rapidly responded to the administration of specific antivenom. In vitro studies, using a homogenate of boomslang parotids, confirmed the coagulant properties of the venom and showed them to be of much greater potency than the proteolytic actions.

^* On Secondment from the University of Glasgow.

¹⁾ Present Address: University Department of Materia Medica, Stobhill General Hospital, Glasgow.

²⁾ Present Address : University Department of Medicine, The Royal Infirmary, Glasgow.

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