St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1884-10-18
The Bite Of Spiders.

The bird spider of South America,
which is pleasant little arachnia,
about two and one half inches in length.
has produced violent Inflammation. fol-
lowed by prolonged suppuration, in
men.
The scorpion spider of Costa Rica
produces by its bite a prolonged in
ilammation of the skin resembling
erysipelas. 1t is troublesome and pain
full. but not often dangerous TO men.
In the steppes of the kirgheez Tar
tars is found a most malignant little
spider. only half an inch in length,
which kills about one person in twenty
five who are bitten by it. The poison
produces no redness or swelling, but
an intense pain at the point bitten,
which gradually extends over the whole
body. Cold sweats. restlessness, dizzi-
ness, great depression, vomiting. blue
ness of the surface, commissions, fol-
lowed by typhoid condition, are the
after effects. These symptoms may
days, or they may disappear, and res
toration TO health may-usually does
follow after five or six days.
The katipo spider of New Zealand
produces wound which is surrounded
by red circle of Inflammation, attended
by severe pain. The heart is greatly
depressed: breathing is difficult; the
face is liyid. and the hands and feet are
cold. If the treatment adopted be
proper, the person bitten RECEIVERS after
three or four days.
In the South of France and in Spain,
especially near Tarragona, is found n
spider half an inch in length which has
largely developed poison glands. Its
bite produces great nervous and mus
cular depression. which generally dis
appear in short time. but sometimes
the health is more or less affected for q
long period.
The tarantula is an enormous spider
with hairy body and long legs, which
is found in Italy, Mexico and the South
western States and Territories of this
country. The effect of its bite are
similar to those already described.
The notions that persons bitten by
it are impelled to dance violently,
and that this sort of exercise re-
lieves the person bitten. are vulgar
superstitions without any foundation in
fact. Local pain, followed by swelling
and redness, with few symptoms of gen
eral poisoning, are usually observed af-
ter its bite. In tropical climates. and
in those which are termed sub-tropical,
many of the smaller spiders are capa-
BILE of producing very painful but not
dangerous bites. When children are
bitten, or adults who are debilitated
from any cause, the effects may, in
rare instances, be serious. The treat
ment of the symptoms occasioned by
the sting or bite of any of the spider
family is to apply some form of alkali
to neutralize the acid of the poison.
Ammonia is the best agent for this
purpose, but bicarbonate of soda or the
ashes of tobacco may DE used when am
monia is not to be had. If the injury
is the sting of very Large scorpion. a
cord should be firmly tied about the
limb above the point injured, the skin
should be cut in two or three places
close to the point stung, and bleeding
should be encouraged by suction by the
mouth or the application of a cupping
glass. Brandy and ammonia should
be given freely to counteract the de-
preston Of the head.-St. Louis Globe
Democrat.