[BalaGire]

I have told this story in another thread. I was on fieldwork in a a provincial area and one night I was bitten in my foot in a dark bushy garden by an unknown insect/animal which I did not get to see. I just felt the sting and when I told my companions they said it was best to see a doctor as snakes were common in that area.

The appropriate hospital was at least an hour away. I found out that not all hospitals treated snakes and other deadly insects bites ; only trained venomologists should handle such cases. When we reached the hospital, I was told that I needed to be observed for at least 24 hours to rule out the possibility of a deadly bite. And the treatment should only be given after the symptoms manifested. It's important to identify what bit me so that they could administer the appropriate serum. Giving the wrong one could kill me! I also found out that for highly dangerous snakes, in less than 30 minutes after the bite, you could die!

After the 24-hour observation period no symptoms surfaced and I was discharged. But the experience made me very scared of snakes (and other venomous insects) bites.