An 8 1/2 year-old girl was in summer after jumping in grass bitten by an unknown animal in the interdigital space of the foot. In the first hours after this accident, severe local haemorrhagical signs and systemic reaction developed. The signs were reminiscent of the clinical course following a viper bite. Although the risk of viper bite is commonly well known by the lay public, the clinical picture, current possibilities and indications of therapy may be of interest even to experienced physicians.

        Key words: viper bite, clinical signs of viper bite, therapy of viper bite