Notes on toxinology

Conclusions

Some of the papers to follow in the present series of communications on toxinology will show that in the field of chemistry, physiology, pharmacology and immunology, as well as molecular biology, animal venoms provide us with some particularly useful models. Obviously, this is one of the main reasons for the growing interest shown by numerous scientists in animal toxins.

With reference to medicine, more research is needed in the field just mentioned with the aim of improving medical care. In addition, however, it is postulated that research on the behaviour of venomous animals towards man, and research into the quantities of venom actually applied to man, be intensified. Also, on the basis of results in this context, people most exposed could be provided with more and better information about prevention.

Work of this sort requests the collaboration of biologists, who observe toxic animals in their natural habitat and who investigate in particular when, and under what prerogatives, the animals make use of toxins in their natural surroundings. Thus we end up with what has been said in the introduction to these notes: toxic animals are to be studied as entities and toxicity has to be looked at from all aspects essential for life, possibly including parasite and population control.

Should the very last point prove valid, fascinating links could be established between toxinology and ecology and in turn migt become important for nature conservation. Thus, toxinology is but a budding field, the limits of which, can yet only be assumed.