Myths and Beliefs regarding Snakes and Snake Bites….

When I encountered a victim of a snake bite recently, I was told by the bistanders of the patient (eventhough that case was a case of 'dry bite') that snake bit because they failed to perform a pooja for Naaga. While I asked them to explain more about it, I got to know that people in this century still believe those unscientific approach. I went on learning about beliefs/myths/stories about snakes and snake bites. These are some of my collections.

1) There is something which is popularly known as snake stone! It is believed that if it is placed on the bite wound, the stone sucks the poison which has been injected into the body by snakes. But in reality it does nothing. It may adsorb a little blood from bite site but certainly not the poison. Relying on snake stone may cause death to the victim of venomous snake bite.

2) In a few books on folk medicine, it is stated that poisonous snakes have four fangs. They are even named as makari, karaali, kaala raathri and yamadoothi. It is also stated in the books that if there only two fang marks at the site of the bite, no treatment is needed. If three marks are found, it is possible to save the life of the patient. It is also mentioned that if four fangs marks are found, death of the patient is a certainty. But reality, it is not so. In general venomous snakes have only two fangs. Sometimes one fang falls off. Even in such case, that snake can venoumate the victim effectively. Sometimes fang marks may not be visible as explained above in which case bite may be fatal. So, believing the text of folk medicines is dangerous!!


3) A few years back, it appeared in press that there was a person who could cure patient of snake bite from a long distance by his maanthrik power!!. Only thing what was to be done was to injorm him(? Maanthrak) over tele phone or telegram. Only gullible people may believe such cock and bull stories.

4) There is a belief among people that cobra bite can cure leprosy. Somewhat 80 yrs ago, a disater took place in Punacha village in South Canara district of Karnataka due to this belief. A patient of leprosy volunteered for bite by a cobra believing that he might be cure of leprosy. Result was just opposite. The poor leper succumbed to the cobra bite.

5) There is a strong belief that anyone who is having a “garuda rekha” (line of eagle), will not be affected by a poisonous snake bite. In reality it is not so!

6) There is also a belief that by applying incised rectum of a chicken to the site of the snake bite can absorb venom from the blood. This type of treatment is also a fatal.

7) There is also a belief in rural India that biting back the culprit snake can save the patient!

8) When I was a small boy of 8years, I was told by a few of my ignorant elders that if a cobra opens its hood, it is a symbol of giving a promise that it will not bite. But in fact, it opens the hood only to bite. I was a also told that The Indian Cobras do not bite unless there is a curse of some great persons, brahmins etc,. in south India, there is a belief in vogue that some untoward incident takes place-the cause behind it is “Naga dosha”. For this astrologists advice some rituals viz, ashlesha bali, sarpa samskaara(post mortem ceremony) as a remedy for naaga dosha.(Naaga=Cobra)

9) Snakes can leave without any food for a long time (few months). Those who observed this, came to a wrong conclusion that snakes can live only ‘eating ‘air. Because of this conclusion snakes were named Pawanahaari.(means air eaters)

10) It is stated in Materia Medica of homeopathy that if patient of snake bite drinks whisky until he gets fully dosed, no other treatment is necessary to get cured. But in case of neurotoxin snake bites like King cobra, Indian Cobra and varieties of krait will worsen the condition of the patient and will fatal too.

11) Among of the folk medical people there is a practice of patting the head with some branches of a particular plant. This only kills the time and patient and is of no use.

12) In India, there is a wide spread belief that if a cobra is caused to suffer pain by somebody, it does not forget the incidence and person who annoyed it for 12 yrs long and waits for a proper time to take revenge. This belief persists among educated people even in urban area. Even in movies, this superstition is magnified without limit which has created lots of strong believers!!

There are many Blind beliefs (all beliefs are blind). Some of which I could catch from my people and by refering some books. I am really shock to know about these beliefs. I will help my society to come out of these kind of beliefs and lead them towards HEALTH.