Here is a "first hand" (sorry for the bad pun) of being bitten by a northern Copperhead and the ensuing envonmation treatment & therapy from M. Christie Kroll kirchnr@ibm.net

John -  

The bite happened while relocating the snake from a neighbor's yard,
where it was not wanted.  The snake was released in a less populated
area.

A 16" neonate Northern Copperhead,Agkistrodon contortrix, bit the inside
of the tip of my right thumb.  The immediate sensation was of hitting my
thumb with a hammer.  There was a small blood blister and a waxy spot
and sharp local pain. Throbbing began in less than 15 minutes,as did
swelling.

Within 1 hour the hand was 3 inches thick, fingers did not bend and
thumb had lost feeling. Within 2 hours I was at the ER receiving
antivenom and swelling was past the elbow. The whole hand had a deep
gnawing pain like being caught in a leg hold trap. I would gladly have
chewed my own hand off at the wrist. 

After initial treatment I was airlifted to Jacobi Medial Center where I
got more antivenom and painkillers.... which did absolutely NOTHING for
the pain.  In two days I was released. Pain extended up to the armpit,
as did bruising.

The entire thumb blistered and had partial thickness destruction, with a
thumb nail sized area having full thickness tissue loss requiring a skin
graft. 6 weeks later it is almost healed. I have 50% to 75%, range of
motion back in the thumb.  While rough motor skills are fine, I may not
recover the ability to write legibly with that hand and have in essence,
become left handed.

The billed expenses will be in the range of 12,000 to 15,000 dollars for
two days of treatment and follow-up surgery.

I handle snakes in order to save lives.. the snakes' lives. It is enough
to know my woods is full of them.  I cannot imagine wanting to keep one
in the house.

If you want pics, send e-mail with your snail mail address

- Christie