Abstract
BACKGROUND: Snakestone (blackstone) is known to be useful in the treatment of snakebites in different parts of the world for centuries. So far, no empirical study examined its usefulness in snakebite. This study was conducted to know the efficacy of snakestone in snakebite. METHODS: This was a clinic based cross-sectional observational study. Fifty-six consecutive individuals with different snakebites who underwent snakestone treatment were recruited and assessed with demographic clinical pro forma and clinical assessment was done for recovery from snakebite. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive and inferential statistics (Kruskal-Wallis test) were used. RESULTS: The mean score on age was 34 years, 8 h since the bite, and 278 stones were used. Number of stone used for treatment varied significantly based on postbite symptom (P < 0.05), type of snake (P < 0.05), and body part bitten (P < 0.05). All participants recovered from snakebite, and treatment was uneventful. CONCLUSIONS: Snakestone treatment may be effective in snakebite. Further study is needed to replicate the finding.