oa Central African Journal of Medicine - Snake bites at Triangle hospital : January 1975 to June 1981

Abstract

A retrospective series of 250 snake bite cases admitted to Triangle Hospital over a 6.5 year period from January, 1975 to June, 1981 is presented. The annual, seasonal, racial and sexual incidences are given. The site 'and time of the bite, time of hospital stay and treatment are discussed. Selected case histories are presented. Nearly 80% of cases presented with signs of snake bite, 57% with swelling, 18.9% with a chemical conjunctivitis and 3.5% with elapid envenomation. Morbidity was minimal and the mortality rate 0.4%.