Milking a snake means taking venom from it. This is a job for an expert, who holds the snake so that its mouth is open, and its fangs are in a small jar. The snake is usually fairly cross at this treatment and bites at the jar, so that venom flows into it from its fangs. The venom is used to make medicines for blood-clotting disorders, as well as antidotes (cures) for people who have been bitten by snakes.