Terrifying spider encounters...
- Thread starter "William The Baptist"
- Start date
- Status
SRoper
Puritan Board Graduate
That's true, and it hasn't been proven to work in mice or rats, at least:
Electric shock does not save snakebitten rats
Electric shocks are ineffective in treatment of lethal effects of rattlesnake envenomation in mice
And a review article that concludes the treatment is ineffective:
Use of stun guns for venomous bites and stings: a review
Jerusalem Blade
Puritan Board Doctor
Hey Scott,
I realize there is a lot of skepticism about this, so I'll provide a couple of links of my own (see esp. the NYTimes article):
THE DOCTOR'S WORLD - NEW SHOCK THERAPY FOR SNAKEBITES - NYTimes.com
Zapping Bites and Stings
Therapik Offers A Technological Twist For Bug Bite & Sting Relief
The incident I mentioned earlier – in northern Kenya by the border of Sudan – I was there on the compound at the time, and the man who was stung was a friend. A scorpion sting can be very painful and debilitating – he was spared that from the electric treatment.
I realize there is a lot of skepticism about this, so I'll provide a couple of links of my own (see esp. the NYTimes article):
THE DOCTOR'S WORLD - NEW SHOCK THERAPY FOR SNAKEBITES - NYTimes.com
Zapping Bites and Stings
Therapik Offers A Technological Twist For Bug Bite & Sting Relief
The incident I mentioned earlier – in northern Kenya by the border of Sudan – I was there on the compound at the time, and the man who was stung was a friend. A scorpion sting can be very painful and debilitating – he was spared that from the electric treatment.
SRoper
Puritan Board Graduate
Thanks, Steve. I note that the NYT article predates all the journal articles I cited. The remedy just hasn't proven itself.
As far as experience in the field--I understand that many bites don't result in venom being transferred to the victim. It is quite possible to survive snakebite without any ill effects, regardless of the treatment administered.
At age 5 I was severely traumatized by the gigantic (at least 10' in diameter) spider in the original movie version of "Swiss Family Robinson". I remember hiding behind my grandfather's recliner chair and have been freaked out by them ever since. A few weeks ago I had to go up to our attic for something and found a huge web covering several feet - I won't go up again until I set off some bug bombs to kill whatever made that web.
On a more practical note - brown recluse spiders have very destructive venom that destroys flesh and even sometimes kills. Activated charcoal made into a paste and applied to the bite will draw out the poison and promote healing. It worked on my husband's cousin who had been bitten several weeks previously and on whom conventional medicine was not helping. She said the wound started healing within a couple of days. We keep activated charcoal handy "just in case".
On a more practical note - brown recluse spiders have very destructive venom that destroys flesh and even sometimes kills. Activated charcoal made into a paste and applied to the bite will draw out the poison and promote healing. It worked on my husband's cousin who had been bitten several weeks previously and on whom conventional medicine was not helping. She said the wound started healing within a couple of days. We keep activated charcoal handy "just in case".
Edward
Puritanboard Commissioner
Just a friendly warning - the Feds may come and get you if you use pesticides contrary to the label directions.
fishingpipe
Puritan Board Freshman
I am 6'7" 320 lbs, and consider myself to be a manly man, but my 5'7" 110 lb wife must kill all spiders around our home.
I'll handle any snake (not as part of worship, mind you
), and even hunt snakes for the fun of catching them, but I do not like spiders.
I'll handle any snake (not as part of worship, mind you
), and even hunt snakes for the fun of catching them, but I do not like spiders.
Mindaboo
Puritan Board Graduate
Spiders do not bother me. I had a spider encounter about 18 years ago. I was asleep and woke up when I felt something bite me. For some reason I called Poison Control, and they said take some Benadryl and watch the spot. I did that. About three hours later I woke up thinking I was having a heart attack. I called again, and they said go to the hospital. I called my sister-in-law who called 911. The ambulance came and the EMT found a black widow in my pillow case. The spider bit me through my pillow case. I was so sick I thought I was going to die. It took me a while to recover. Thankfully it was me and not my then one year old.
It still doesn't bother me to see a spider, but put a snake anywhere near me and I'll pass out for sure! Leah, I can't see them in movies, pictures, or at the zoo. I used to check my blankets every night before I went to bed, look under my bed, etc. to make sure there weren't any snakes around. I've gotten over most of it now. I still can't stomach a picture or the thought of one being anywhere near me.
It still doesn't bother me to see a spider, but put a snake anywhere near me and I'll pass out for sure! Leah, I can't see them in movies, pictures, or at the zoo. I used to check my blankets every night before I went to bed, look under my bed, etc. to make sure there weren't any snakes around. I've gotten over most of it now. I still can't stomach a picture or the thought of one being anywhere near me.
- Status
