The Subtle Beast: Snakes, from Myth to Medicine traces a fascinating journey from the macroscopic features of snakes to the molecular description of venom components. The first chapters detail how snakes inspired fear and worship, served as sources of medicine, and represented good and evil throughout the ages. The remaining sections describe the scientific work that has eroded supernatural beliefs during the past three centuries. The book examines the origin, features, and classification of snakes, and also offers a precise description of snake venoms and their components. The final chapter discusses how venoms can be applied toward medicinal purposes.