A Brief History

Venomous Snake Vaccinology

Recorded history with this vaccine dates back to around AD 60. Surely other tribes in diff erent parts of the world might have used their own methods to survive, but nothing was recorded. The Psylli tribe of Northern Africa might have used a method of getting bitten by venomous snakes in order to achieve immunity. A crude method, but one that can be eff ective if done properly. This passage from the “Pharsalia” roughly talks about their practices, and just as Calmette reproduced it in his book, I will also use it here. A quote from Professor Landouzy in Calmette’s book on Venoms [3].

“Alone unharmed of all who till the earth By deadly serpents, dwells the Psyllian race. Potent as herbs their song; safe is their blood, Nor gives admission to the poison germ E’en when chant has ceased. Their home itself Placed in such venomous tract and serpent-thronged. Gained them this vantage, and a truce with death, Else could they not have lived. Such is their trust In purity of blood, that newly born Each babe they prove be test of deadly asp For foreign lineage. So the bird of Jove Turns his new fl edglings to the rising sun And such a gaze upon the beams of day With eyes unwavering, for the use of heaven He rears; but such as blink at Phoebus’ rays Casts from the nest. Thus of unmixed descent The babe who, dreading not the serpent touch, Plays in his cradle with the deadly snake.” [3]

Calmette’s book also makes mention of various tribes around the world that used diff erent methods of inoculation. E.C. Cotes says that Indian snake charmers leave the fangs intact, and use graduated injections [3]. Certain Mexican Indians called the Curados de Culebras use rattlesnake fangs for their immunity. While staying at Tuxpan, Dr. Jacolot had the procedure done on himself, and was satisfi ed with their immunity [3]. Colonel Serpa Pinto also went through an inoculation procedure in Mozambique by Vatuas Indians. After the procedure was complete, he said that he suff ered every possible kind of suff ering, and that his whole body was sore [3]. It’s very possible that he had an IgE reaction to the venom, and developed anaphylaxis. This is what happened to me many times with the mambas [1]. Calmette also mentions other tribes that might have also practiced this procedure, the Galibi, Boni, Emerillon and Bosse tribes.