Definition

Noun: - Poisoning by snake venom: The pathological condition resulting from the injection of venom by a snake into a body, typically through a bite. It refers to the systemic envenomation and its clinical effects.

Usage

• The term is used in medical, toxicological, and herpetological contexts to describe the state of being poisoned by snake venom.
• It is a technical term and is not commonly used in everyday conversation.

Examples

• The patient was admitted to the hospital with severe ophidism following a rattlesnake bite.
• Research into antivenoms is crucial for the effective treatment of ophidism.
• Symptoms of ophidism can include localized tissue damage, coagulopathy, and neurotoxic effects.

Advanced Usage

• Clinical ophidism: Refers to the observable and diagnosable syndrome resulting from snake venom poisoning.
• Chronic ophidism: A rare concept that might refer to long-term complications or sequelae from a snakebite envenoming.

Variants and Related Words

• Ophidian (adj): Pertaining to snakes.
  • Ophidian anatomy is fascinating.
• Ophiology (n): The branch of zoology dealing with snakes.
  • Ophiology is his field of scientific study.

Synonyms

• Snakebite envenomation: The process or condition of being poisoned by snake venom (a more modern clinical term).
• Envenomation: The introduction of venom into the body by a bite or sting (broader term, not specific to snakes).

Related Phrases and Terms

• Antivenin/antivenom therapy: The primary medical treatment for ophidism.
• Venomous snakebite: A common phrase describing the cause of ophidism.

Noun

1. poisoning by snake venom