The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-11-22
POISONOUS STlNGS AND BITES,
Danger Not So Great as Many Persons
Think

The dangers to human life from the
bites and stings of poisonous reptiles
found in the Southwest are very much
overestimated. 1t is II belief among
many people that the centipede, the
tarantula, the ella monster, the scor-
pion and Il score Of other reptiles and
insects of various long scientific names
are sure death to those who encounter
them. The facts are that about the
only really dangerous things that Ari-
IONA has are the rattlesnake and the
hydrophobia skunk. The former is
common to almost the entire United
States. outside OF the cities, and the
skunk is found in many countries be-
sides Arizona.
The ella monster is automatically
credited with quite number OF VIC
tins. but is not Il very dangerous ami
NAL, for the reason that 1t seldom bites
anybody unless it is captured and
teased until 1t is made to bite in self
defense. and then in many cases the
victim suffers but slightly II the
wound Is properly cared for. The
tarantula is said to he sure death. but
who ever heard of Il tarantula biting
anybody? There may be occasional
instances. but there is none OH record
in these parts.
The sting of the scorpion is SO COM
mon as to excite no comment unless
the victim be an infant and the insect
gets under the clothes and stings him
repeatedly. In that case death has
been known to ensue in various cases
that might be referred to. But there
have already been hundreds of people
stung by scorpions i'll this country this
year, and in few cases has the
wound been as serious as bee sting.
SO far as can be ascertained. no ma
ture person in these parts ever died
from the sting of a scorpion, though
in Il few cases where the wound pene-
trated large blood vessel the patient
has suffered intensely.
The sting OF the centipede is rare
and probably not dozen cases have
occurred in these parts in as many
years, and it is not of record here that
anybody ever died from Il ceptipede's
sting. The usual result is the making
of a bad wound. followed sometimes
by sloughing Of the adjacent flesh.
and probably, ii neglected, blood pois-
on might ensue. But the wound could
scarcely prove fatal if given attention
Judging by the observation of the in
cidents of the past. A case of cent?
peie singing is recorded by the Flor
ence Blade as follows:
James Davis OF Kelvin came down
a week ago Friday for medical treat
ment, having been bitten by a cent?
pede the evening before. He had gone
to bed and sometime in the early part
of the evening the centipede had taken
notion to become James bedfellow
for the night, but James got too rough
and the centipede tackled him for re-
venge. He was in sort of stupor for
time following the bite having no
powG to use his limbs, but it lasted
only a short time and he got up and
applied ammonia. This was all he had
until he arrived here.
The doctor bed the wound and APP
piled medicines and Mr.. Davis was al
lowed to return the same day. This
skaters the theory that centipede
! injects deadly poison into a person it
| stings. Mr.. Davis would not take
| whisky-which is supposed to be good
! in such cases. The centipede was a
large one. being about eight inches
| lOnS'