FOREWORD 



The first edition of the ONI 3-62, Poisonous Snakes of the World, was 

 published on 30 June 1062 under the auspices of the Oflice of Xaval Intelli- 

 gence of the Office of the Chief of Xaval Operations. The widespread in- 

 terest generated by this publication and the increasing commitments of Xa^'y 

 and Marine forces throughout the world, particularly in Southeast Asia, have 

 served to emphasize tlie need for a more authoritative manual that can be 

 used for training and in support of military operations. The Bureau of 

 Afedicine and Surgery, having recognized this necessity, assumed the responsi- 

 bility for a more delinitive and comprehensive up-to-date presentation of the 

 problems relating to venomous snakes. 



Commander Granville ^I. ^foore, MSC, I'SX, was appointed as coordi- 

 nator and principal editor to woriv with a conunittee of eminent herpelologists, 

 selected by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Ilerpetologists, to 

 revise the manual. The Bureau of >redicine and .Surgery gratefully acknowl- 

 edges the important contributions made by this conunittee and the services 

 provided by the New York Zoological Society. 



First aid procedures in cases of snakebite as des<'ribed herein are ap- 

 proved by the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery aiul the specilic treatment .set 

 forth represents the official policy of this Bureau at the time of publication. 



This manual is reconnuei\ded for use by all ships, stations, and commands 

 in need of authoritative information about snakes and snakebites. 



R. B. Brown 

 Vice Admiral, MC 

 United States Xavy 

 Surgeon General and Chief, 

 Bureau of Medicine and Surgerj' 



