Question for Cobraman (Re: Self Immunizing)

[FacultyX]

Ray, I read a write-up in a medical jornal about your practice of injecting diluted snake venoms in an effort to build immunity to snake venoms. You stated that it was like an added precaution (or insurance policy) because of your higher than average exposure to more of a variety of hots that the average collector. Would you answer a few questions I have that were either not clear, or not covered in the article?
1) Is this a safe practice? In the interview you stated that it is not generly considered safe for several reasons. Could you ellaborate a little?
2) How did you go about starting that, and how would someone else do so?
3) You mentioned the pros and cons of the practice, and one of the cons you mentioned was that you felt it could make you a little more complacent in your work. Is that really the case? and do you think that could have something to do with the number of bites both you and Mr. Haast have?
Ray, I was going to e-mail you with this, but I thought others on this forum may find it as interesting as I do, and would like to hear about it also. Of course, as you have seen, there are one or two that will use it to further dig at you and your work, so if you think it best to not discuss it on a public forum, please e-mail me instead.
Thanks
Freddy

P.S.-Some of us miss your pics that you used to post. Strange - yes, but entertaining, and that is what most of this is about. Please don't let one or two ruin it for the rest of us who enjoy your postings.
Freddy