Paralysis, rhabdomyolysis and haemolysis caused by bites of Russell's viper (Vipera russelli pulchella) in Sri Lanka: failure of Indian (Haffkine) antivenom.

In Sri Lanka, Russell's viper, Vipera russelli pulchella, kills more people than any other species of snake. At Anuradhapura in the dry central zone of the island we studied 23 patients with systemic envenoming after proven bites. Seventy-three per cent had swelling at the bite site.