Neutralization of Pit Viper Venom by King Snake Serum.

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Abstract
The L.D.50 of water moccasin (Agkistrodon piscivorus) venom by intraperit. injn. in white mice was evaluated as 6.25 mg./kg. The volume of king snake (Lampropeltis getulus) serum, detoxicated by heating, which would protect mice against 2.5 L.D.50 of venom was detd., both by mixing serum and venom in vitro, and by separate intraperit. injns. of each. The E.D.50 of serum was approx. 1 cc./kg. or a total dose of 0.03 cc. for a 30-g. mouse. A total dose of 1 cc. of serum protected mice against 7 L.D.50 of venom. Comparable protection by king snake serum was demonstrated against the venom of the rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus). This antivenin action was stronger than that of Wyeth''s polyvalent antivenin. The protective dosages of serum were shown to be well below toxic levels.
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