A king cobra bite in New York City.

A 30-year-old male was bitten on the thumb by a king cobra, Ophiophagus hannah. Transported by helicopter to a snakebite center within 1 hr, he was treated with specific antivenom. He improved, then worsened; the course was finally reversed by huge doses of antivenom (Thai King Cobra Antivenom). The patient recovered without sequelae. The case illustrates the efficacy of an emergency medical system and i.v. administration of specific antivenom in sufficent amounts.