Dilophosaur Antivenin (C/N)

Dilophosaurus antivenin was a compound kept, according to Muldoon, “all around the park.” If applied within “about two hours,” the antivenin would negate the blinding effects of dilophosaur saliva, but there is no mention of whether or not it was effective against a dilophosaur bite; it can be assumed that it behaved like traditional antivenins and would also counteract dilophosaur bites. Dilophosaurus secreted a hemotoxic venom composed of “seven different toxic enzymes,” and the antivenin was probably created in a similar fashion to traditional antivenins for modern venomous animals like snakes or spiders: the venom is extracted and diluted, and then injected into a mammalian host. The host develops an immune response to the venom, and the antibodies can be extracted, producing the antivenin.

As a note, “antivenin” is a synonymous term to “antivenom,” though the latter is more prevalent in everyday usage. However, as Crichton chose to describe the compound as antivenin, that is the term used in this article.