New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-01-23
PRICE THREE CENTS.
POISONED BY A BIG SPIDER
A BOY AT BAYslDE BITTEN ON THE ARM.
HIS LIFE DEsPAIRED OF FOR A TIME-rHR ARM
SWOLLEN TO GREAT SIZE.

HIS LIFE DEsPAIRED OF FOR TIME-rHR ARM
SWOLLEN TO GREAT SIZE.
James White lives with his wife and five children
in two-story frame house near the railroad depot
at Batside, L. l. His son John, bright and
active youth about nine years of age, possesses an
inquisitivo mind and has for some time shown much
interest in natural history. In following his in.
clination in this direction, on the morning of
December 1s. he was led to stir up nest Of spiders
which were taking winters nap in an outhouse
upon his fathers land. One of the spiders. the
largest of all, the boy says resented his nterfer
ence, ran up the boys sleeve and bit him upon the
right arm just below the elbow. The boy described
the spider as one of extraordinary size, of Q
peculiar dark bluish-tlack color. with any number
of legs, and large head with two curved antenn
growing out of the neck The boy after he felt the
bite rolled up his sleeve and found the spider stick
ing on his If sucking blood. The spider held
so that it took considerable force to brush it off,
and when it did let go it ran down tho arm and bit
the flesh again near the wrist. The boy hit II o
smart rap and it dropped of and ran away. He
went with his play and did not pay any atten
ton to the bite, though be felt sharp prickng
sensation III the arm.
His arm began to swell Immediately after the
spider let go its hold. but the boy did not say any
thing about it to any One About four days after
ward his mother noticed swelling on his hand and
spoke to HIM about it: he then told for the first
time of being bitten by the spider His mother i'm
mediately rolled up his sleeve and to her amaze
ment and horror found his arm swollen to moro
than twice its natural size, and at the point where
theIspidcr had bitten there was outlined a ring
about an inch in diameter, of q peculiar reddish
tinge, with darker border; the centre in
dentci and presented exceedingly vrulent ap-
pearance. Shortly afterward the boy was al tackled
with distressing nausea and fantness. Becoming
alarmed, Mrs. White bundled him up and took him
four miles to Flushing to the house OF DR.. Law
renee. who pronounced it serious case of blood
poisoning. He ordered the patient to be taken homo
at once and said that the chances were against
ing the boys life. account of the time that the
poison had been in his system.
The arm continued to swell, and though every
known remedy was resorted to young White con-
tnued to grow weaker every day, and his lire was
despaired of. He became weak that he could
swallow neither food medicine. and could not
raise his head from his pillow When liquid of any
kind was put to his lips violent spasm OF tho
throat would follow. and severe contractions of the
muscles of the chest. The arm swellt until it
measured over twelve inches in circumference at
the elbow The reddish color that was first noticed
where the spider had bitten extended until tho
whole arm from the shoulder to the wrist assumed
the same appearance The body turned light lead
color and there was a dark Sttcah running afounU
the neck. The temperature was exceedingly high,
and an intense thirst was at times manifested. that
cOuld not be quenched on account of The boys in
ability to swallow The room IN which he was
placed had TO be kept extremely warm because he
complained of cold constantly and even the clothes
that touched his body seemed TO give him pam.
His mind WIS snot affected and he remained con-
sciOus all the tine. and knew everything that was
gong on around him in the room.
On one occasion he became much alarmed ala, az the
his hand, and called loudly for his mother TO brush
it away, as he was afraid IL wond bite him;
About a week ago he saw 4 small spider on the wall
near him and became greatly excited and not
satisfied and qnieted luntl il was killed. Several
times as his mother sat watching him she Thought
he was dead. He did not breathe and when spoken
to showed no sign of hearing. He would be in this
condition for hours and then wOuld suddenly start
unnatural Hook. This peculiarly OF the eyes is
of the strange features of the Before tho boy
was bitten they had a dqll lGoh. which has been
have the expression of great anxiety.
The boys arm was lanced about
a large amount of dark green pus that had a pun-
gent and disagrecable Odor. This discharge con,in-
ued for several DAYS aud his condition began 20 I'M
duced although the arm is still much larger than
when in natural state. IL is still painful 10 the
to be partially parayzed as ne cannot move it ex-
cept with assistance from the other hand. Since the
swelling has been reduced IN the arIn, young WbitSs
left thigh which had been sore 10 the t0uch only,
has assumed a pnksh appearance, aud las been
increasing in size. Ii presents notified appear-
ance andis covered with dark and red spots. When
il is touched he shrinks aud means and complains
of great burning and disagreeable pricklug SEN
satiOn.
For the last week the boys condition has been
gradually improving and he has been able to take
and retain food and medicine without distress. IIe
does not suffer much from pam, though he nioans
talks and screams at times when asleep. HIS skin
has lost its leaden hue. and new has tie aShy pale
ness that the skin takes on befor' death. Mr. aud
Mrs. White have hopes of their sons recovery.
Dr. Lawrence said last night that the boy Is still
in critical condition, though there is now bare
chance of his recovery
There have been several other eases of spider
in that locality, one being man named
Tox at Great Neck, and another the postmasters
wIie Of Bayside Both were Ill for m)re tLan
year.