The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1914-04-02
SCORPION STINGS.
Thew Kill Thousands of Persons
Yearly In Mexico.
QUICK WORK OF THE POISON.

The Venom Of the Deadly Species, Un-
less Prompt Treatment Follows the
Bite, VIII End the Life of the Victim
In Twelve or Fourteen Hours.
Four thousand persons are reported
to die each year in Mexico from the
stings of scorpions.
There are several varieties of scor-
pions in Mexico, some of them exceed
ingly venomous and others little feared.
In the neighborhood of Topic the viru-
lent Centuris gracilis abounds, but it
is little known about the more north
ern state of Sonora. It is one of the
most venomous creatures in the world.
In the small city Of Durango scor-
pions are perhaps more plentiful and
more dangerous than anywhere else in
the republic. Here the climate is hui
mid and torrid-it is in the ''tierra
caliente''-and it is estimated that more
than 10000 scorpions are killed each
year, with no appreciable effect on
their numbers.
A scorpion resembles a diminutive
lobster. Some specimens are eight
inches long, though the average length
is from two to four inches. The claws
closely resemble Holsters; with them
the scorpion brushes its prey after dis
abling it by means Of a sting.
The body Of Il scorpion consists of
several seSmented joints, the last five
or more narrowing down to form the
tail, which curls up forward over the
body and terminates in the sting. This
businesslike appendage is horny.
sharp spine containing two little open
ings which connect with the venom
gland within the shell of the last seq
ment. In striking the scorpion gives
the tail q rapid lashng motion forward
in advance Of the body and literally
administers hypOdermic injection OF
poison, or rather several injections, for
it usually stings repeatedly when II
does strike.
In color scorpions vary according to
environment. One ordinarily cOlorless
or translucent will assume q brown OF
blackish shade in dark surroundings.
Scorpions live in the cracks of the sun
baked clay. under stones, in the chinks
the plaster of old frame houses. They
prey upon spiders and other night
marauding insects. A spider stung by
a scorpion may be observed under.
going commissions before death just as
animals or human beings do.
Unless sleeping cots are we'll screen
ed and the supports immersed in cans
Of kerosene or carbolic acid-wate1
evapOrates too rapidly--the proving
scorpion may find its way beneath the
bed covers and sting the restless child
BY nature 1t is nocturnal pest. II
Mexico every one takes a peep in the
toe of his shoe before dressing in the
morning to assure himself that no I'm
desirable citizen is hiding there.
Contrary to common belief scorpions
never commit suicide by stinging them
| selves to death-at least not in Mexico
| In fact, they seem immune to theil
| own venom. Two we'll matched speci
| ments will battle to death if confined
| in a jar. singing each other repeated
! ly, vet the victor does not die II,
| tears his antagonist into small piece:
with his claws and voraciously de
|
| foe. And the cannibal thrives on tn,
| diet
| Some scorpion bites cause little mOr'
| than burning pain and numbness il
the part affected for a few days. Blu
| the more poisonous varieties caus,
death, and that speedily. especial.
when they sting young children or de
! bilitated old people. The lower classe
Of people suffer more than the wei
| to do because of their custom of goin,
| about half naked most of the time.
| In serious cases the local numbnes
and pain Or burning extend oyer tn
body in q few hours. Then follows
| feeling as of ball in the throat, th
| victim clutching his throat as though
choking on foreign body. Promp
trea tment at this stage will usual,
save life.
If not treated the mouth soon begin
to froth and the eyes become reddene,
and representative to light. Within a.
hour or two the breathing grows short
er and more difficult the body turn
blue the pulse fails and CONFUSION
set in. The commissions recur FIRE
| 4ucuLtN uufiuS SCV0idl uOttS, Out COu
plete relaxation usually ushers in tn
end
Fortunately Inconsistencies devel
ops early, so that the victim does no
suffer the fortunes Of one dying fror
lockjaw. The average time require
for scorpion sting to cause death
twelve Or fourteen hours
The treatment of scorpion sting cor
sists Of free incision of the part t
promote copious bleeding, then vigo1
asroaaor - ,.,n....,