What are the collection methods of snake venom?

There are two ways to collect snake venom: "dead collection" and "live collection". "Dead mining" is a special destructive method, which kills the poisonous glands on the head of poisonous snakes cut by processing units, or anesthetizes the toothed snakes and sea snakes with less toxic output, and is only used occasionally under special circumstances. The method of "live mining" is generally adopted to protect snake resources. Here are several "live mining" methods.

(1) electrical stimulation poisoning method This method is to stimulate the inner wall of Shekou with special electrodes by means of weak current stimulation such as "acupuncture anesthesia machine". As long as the snake is stimulated by electricity, it will be detoxified immediately because of electric anesthesia. The choice of "acupuncture instrument" is weak enough to detoxify snakes; If the stimulation is too large, it will affect the health of snakes.

(2) Biting the dish to take poison The tool for taking poison is a small glass dish or a small porcelain dish (spoon). When collecting poison, put the snake naturally on the workbench, hold the snake's neck with one hand, and send the glass plate or porcelain plate to Shekou with the other. After the snake bites, the venom will flow out. When the venom stops flowing out, take out the glass dish or saucer. This method is simple, convenient and easy to operate, and is also suitable for poisonous snakes that have lost their fangs. The disadvantage is that snake venom is easily polluted by microorganisms, exfoliated epithelium, mucus, sediment and other impurities in Shekou cavity, and the amount of snake venom collected by each snake is small. See Figure 34 for the collection of poisons in glass dishes.

Fig. 34 Poisons are collected in a glass beaker.

(3) The poison collecting tool of the bite film poison collecting method is a small glass leaky head, the funnel mouth is tightly tied with a transparent and elastic nylon film, and the end of the funnel tube is tightly plugged with a rubber plug. When collecting poison, one hand holds the snake's neck, and the other hand touches the edge of the funnel, and the film is sent to Shekou while the snake opens its mouth. When fangs bite through the nylon membrane, the venom will flow into the funnel. After the venom stays, you can twist the leaky head slightly to loosen it and take the opportunity to exit the funnel membrane. Each funnel membrane can be used continuously until the nylon membrane is damaged or the venom can no longer be stored in the tube. This method is simple, but snakes without fangs cannot be used. See fig. 35 for the device and method of taking poison by biting vegetables.

Fig. 35 Device and method for taking poison by biting a dish

(4) The negative pressure poison collection method is improved on the basis of the bite film method. That is, a layer of plastic film is tied to the mouth of the funnel, the bottom of the funnel is connected with the centrifugal tube through the rubber plug, and the side tube of the funnel is connected with the water pump through the rubber tube. Before receiving the poison, turn on the faucet of the water pump to suck air, so that negative pressure is formed in the funnel. The operation method of collecting poison is the same as that of biting membrane, but this method is better for poisonous snakes with less poison production and thick venom, such as Agkistrodon halys, but it needs to be changed frequently to ensure the negative pressure effect, but it is not needed for poisonous snakes with thick fangs.

(5) Squeeze the snake neck with one hand, so that the snake head is placed above the poison container, and press the poison glands on both sides from back to front with the index finger and thumb of the other hand, so that the venom flows out from Shekou until no venom flows out. This method is simple to operate and can also be used for poisonous snakes that have lost their fangs. If this method is combined with the poison extractor, the effect will be better. The poison extractor is shown in Figure 36.

Fig. 36 Poison extractor