The True Scorpions 21 



2. Cells present in considerable numbers, the peripheral por- 

 tions of which are filled with very numerous fine granules, staining 

 with acid dyes such as methyl orange. 



3. Cells few in number, filled with very large granules, or ir- 

 regular masses of a substance staining with haematoxylin. 



The poison, according to Kobert (1893), is a limpid, acid-reacting 

 fluid, soluble in water but insoluble in absolute alcohol and ether. 

 There are few data relative to its chemical nature. Wilson (1901) 

 states that a common Egyptian species, Buthus quinquestriatus , has 

 a specific gravity of 1.092, and contains 20.3% of solids and 8.4% ash. 



The venom of different species appears to differ not only quantita- 

 tively but qualitatively. The effects of the bite of the smaller species 

 of the Southern United States may be painful but there is no satis- 

 factory evidence that it is ever fatal. On the other hand, certain 

 tropical species are exceedingly virulent and cases of death of man 

 from the bite are common. 



In the case of Buthus quinquestriatus, Wilson (1904) found the 

 symptoms in animals to be hypersecretion, salivation and lachryma- 

 tion, especially marked, convulsions followed by prolonged mus- 

 cular spasm; death from asphyxia. The temperature shows a 

 slight, rarely considerable, rise. Rapid and considerable increase 

 of blood-pressure (observed in dogs) is followed by a gradual fall with 

 slowing of the heart-beat. The coagulability of the blood is not 

 affected. 



An interesting phase of Wilson's work was the experiments on 

 desert mammals. The condition under which these animals exist 

 must frequently bring them in contact with scorpions, and he found 

 that they possess a degree of immunity to the venom sufficient at 

 least to protect them from the fatal effects of the sting. 



As far as concerns its effect on man, Wilson found that much 

 depended upon the .age. As high as 60 per cent of the cases of 

 children under five, resulted fatally. Caroroz (1865), states that in a 

 Mexican state of 15,000 inhabitants, the scorpions were so abundant 

 and so much feared that the authorities offered a bounty for their 

 destruction. A result was a large number of fatalities, over two 

 hundred per year. Most of the victims were children who had 

 attempted to collect the scorpions. 



The treatment usually employed in the case of bites by the more 

 poisonous forms is similar to that for the bite of venomous snakes. 

 First, a tight ligature is applied above the wound so as to stop the 



