Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-16
SCORPION STINCS,
They Kill Thousands of Persons
Yearly In Mexico.

! Four thousand persons are reported
( &C die each year in Mexico from the
I stings of scorpions.
There are several varieties of scor-
pions in Mexico. some Of them exceed
lngly 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. 1t 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
wear, with no appreciate effect on
their numbers.
4 scorpion resembles a diminutive
lobster. Some specimens are eight
inches long, though the average leEstL
is from two to four inches. The CLAWS
closely resemble a lobster's: with them
the scorpion brushes its prey after dis
abling it by means of sting.
several segmented joints. the last FIVE
or more narrowing down to form the
TAIL which curIs 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 Il rapid lashing motion forward
in advance of the body and literally
administers a hypodermic injection of
poison. or rather several injections. for
it usually sfinss repeatedly when it
does strike.
In color scorpions vary according to
environment. One ordinarily coloriess
or translucent will assume a brown or
blackish shade in dark surroundings
Scorpions live in the cracks of the sun
baked clay. under stones. in the chinks
of the adobe huts and in the cracks iii
the Plaster of old frame houses. They
prey upon spiders and other night
maraudinS 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-water
evaporates too rapidly-the proving
scorpion may find its way beneath the |
bed covers and sting the restless child |
By nature it is 4 nocturnal pest In !
Mexico every one takes peep in the |
toe of his shoe before dressing in the I
to assure himself that no un.
desirable citizen is hiding there
Contrary to common belief scorpions |
never commit suicide by singing them |
selves TO deatb-at least not in Mexico. |
In fact. they seem immune to their l
own venom. Two we'll matched Speci- ,
mcnts will battle to death il coilfined /
in a jar. singing each other repeated !
", Yet the victor does not die. He
tears his antagonist into small pieces
with his claws and yoraciously de-
yours every trace of the vanquished |
zoe. And the cannibai thrivcs on the
iies
Some scorpion bites cause little more
han burning pain and numbness in
he part affected for few days. But
he more poisonous varieties cause
ieath. and that speedily. especially
when they sting young children or de-
old people. The lower classes
Il people suffer more than the well /,
o do because OF their custom OF going
bout haf naked most of the time.
In serious cases the local numbnesS
nd pain or burning extend over the
'ody in few hours. Then follows
ceiling as OF ball In the throat. the
ictlm clutching his throat as though
hoSing ON a foreign body. Prompt