Reader\'s Digest AU NZ 03.2020

later,thechoppertouched down and

whiskedJeremyaway.

RATTLESNAKEVENOMisamiracle

ofevolution– a complexcocktailof

enzymesandproteinsthat,whenin-

jectedintoavictim’sbloodstream,

actslikeapowerfulbloodthinner,

destroyingskintissueandbloodcells

andcausinginternalhaemorrhaging.

Arattlesnake’sfangsareconnectedto

venomglandsatthebackofitshead.

Snakescancontrolhowmuchvenom

theyinject,andbecauseproducing

venomtakesenergy,theytypically

don’twanttowasteit.Whencor-

nered,anadultrattlesnakewillusu-

allydelivera lightdefensive strike to

scare off a threat.

Asnakethathasbeendecapitat-
ed,however,hasnothingtolose,so
thesnakethatbitJeremyemptiedits
venomglandsintohishand.When
Jennifergottotheemergencydepart-
mentatChristusSpohnHospitalCor-
pusChristi–Shoreline,aboutanhour
and 15 minutesafterherhusband,
shefounda hecticscene.Therewere
sixorsevendoctorsworkingonher
husband,desperatelytryingtoget
hisbloodpressureup.Justtwohours
afterbeingbitten,Jeremy’sright
handwasenormousandswollen,an
angryredcreepinguphisforearm.
Shewatchedwithhernurse’seyes
asdoctorsgavehima hostoftreat-
ments–cryoprecipitateandvita-
PHOTOS COURTESY OF JENNIFER SUTCLIFFE min K to clot the blood, anddose

Left: The snake’shead.Right:Jeremyduringdialysisin mid-June,

after two fingers were amputated

83

The Snake’s Revenge