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390 Bulletin 83 



of the University staff was bitten on the upper arm about 11 p. m., 

 by a large specimen, about seven inches long. Hydrogen peroxide 

 was applied. (This would prevent gej'm infection of the wound, 

 but probably would not counteract the poison.) Pain at first was 

 like pin pricks, but in about an hour became severe, preventing 

 sleep. Two prick marks showed, which were pink, red, then Avhit- 

 ish in center, then purple. In the morning at five a physician was 

 sought, who advised putting on baking soda. The aim became 

 swollen and very painful, with sharp pains. Swelling- and pihib 

 extended downward into the hand and lasted all day. Some feeling 

 of faintness and nausea occurred at times next day and slight pai.i 

 across abdomen also. Pain was severe all next day (Friday) and 

 "might not have slept Friday night, but had sleeping tablets from 

 physician." On Saturday the pain was gone except when the hand 

 or arm was touched. On Monday afternoon still slightly painful to 

 touch; swelling gone. Still slightly painful to lift arm. (Some 

 of the symptoms given, the writer believes, may have been due to 

 undue nervousness as to eft'ects, as the victim in this case was uA-. 

 doubtedly somewhat wrought up about it). In the other instance 

 a lady was bitten about 11 p. m. on the heel, through a reinforced 

 portion of the stocking, the animal being seven or eight inches in 

 length. The bite was described as feeling like a hot needle at the 

 instant of infliction. The pain following was described as a recur- 

 rent throbbing or stabbing, and sleep was prevented, though the 

 victim asserts she does not really know whether this was the result 

 of the pain itself, or the excitement of the occasion. Only slight 

 swelling appeared in this case, and it was gone within twenty-four 

 hours. Patient was about the next day, shopping down town in the 

 afternoon, but could still feel throbbing pains. After two days all 

 effects had disappeared. Asked as to the comparative effects of a 

 bee sting, this lady immediately stated that the only bee sting she 

 had ever suffered was worse, producing the same sort of throbbing 

 pain, and that it lasted much longer. It must be said that the cen- 

 tipede bite having been inflicted through the clothing was probably 

 not as bad as it otherwise would have been, but would in any case 

 hardly have been worse than the bee sting. While these effects 

 were severe in both cases, it will be seen after all that honey bee 

 stings are of at least equal severity in many cases. One should 

 certainly avoid these injuries when possible, yet there is absolutely 

 no reason for the unreasoning fear of the centipede, as compared 

 with the relative calmness about bees. 



