1.   Natural poisons such as snake venom are now being used in the treatment of human nervous disorders.

2.   Some types of snake venom prevent blood from clotting.

3.   The primary function of snake venom is, of course, to quieten prey before swallowing them.

4.   How did snake venom get its start?

5.   Another promising drug, now being tested, has been derived from snake venom.

6.   Antivenoms work by binding with the snake venom and essentially deactivating it, Dart said.

7.   Despite their mutual appreciation of snakes, scientists striving for a medical application of snake venom and the roundup regulars of Sweetwater are on a cultural collision course.

8.   Most snake venom contains both, but specific species of snakes have a preponderance of one or the other.

9.   Still, fuller understanding of how snake venom works has led scientists down several new trails and serves as testimony to the evolutionary efficiency of these fearsome reptiles.

10.   They even heard rumors of the Dugmas, a cult of females who attack outsiders with snake venom concealed beneath their fingernails.