Pharmacology and Therapeutics - Theses

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    Studies in animal venoms: the venoms of the Stone fish (Synanceja trachynis), the Red-back spider (Latrodectus hasseltii) and the funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus), with particular reference to the production of antivenenes
    Wiener, Saul ( 1959)
    Although severe and occasionally fatal results have followed the bite of spiders and the sting of fish in Australia, relatively few investigations have been carried out in the past on the venom the species of animals responsible for them. Antivenens have been produce against the venom of various species of spiders belonging to the genus Latrodectus in other parts of the world, but no attempt has been made in the past to produce an antivenene against the venom of the red-back spider which is the Australian representative of this genus. With the venom of the Sydney funnel-web spider, previous investigators have not been able to demonstrate any toxic effects in laboratory animals. Only a few studies have been carried out with the venom of the stone-fish but no attempt to produce an antivenene has been made. Treatment of envenomation following an effective bite or sting by these animals has therefore remained empirical and in the absence of a specific antivenene was not very successful. The present investigation was undertaken with the view to producing a specific antivenene against the venom of the red-back spider (Latrodectus hasseltii), the venom of the funnel-web spider (Atrax robustus) and the venom of the stone-fish (Synanceja trachynis) respectively. The studies presented in this thesis were therefore primarily concerned with the accomplishment of a practical task for which no efforts were spared. (From Introduction)