The severity of a persons reaction to the bite depends on the area of the body where the bite occurs, the persons size and general sensitivety, the amount of venom injected, depth of bite, seasonal changes in venom potency, and temperature. The bite pruduces a sharp pain similar to a needle puncture. The pain usually dissappears rapidly. Local muscular cramps may appear from 15 minutes to several hours after the bite, spreading and becoming more severe as times passes. The venom then grows weak, tremors develop, and the abdominal muscles become stiff.
Respiration becomes spasmadic, and the patient is restless and anxious.
During this period, a feeble pulse, cold skin, labored breathing and speech, light stupor, and delerium may be noted. Convulsions and death may occur in some victims, especially if the person is sensitive to the venom and no treatment is received. An anti-venom for the black widow is available to most physicians. The Brown Recluse is a soft bodied and secretive spider found in homes and other buildings. The body is yellow to dark brown and has a rather distinctive darker brown violin shaped mark on the top of it's head.