INSECTS AFFECTING HEALTH OF MAN OR ANIMALS. 91 
INSECTS WHOSE BITE OR STING IS IRRITATING AND MAY GIVE RISE TO 
INFECTION. 
Various types of venomous insects have not been included under 
the preceding headings because their attack is not directly connected 
with the spread of disease, although their bites may cause serious 
consequences. 
THE CONE-NOSE BEDBUG.! 
Along the Mexican border certain large blood-sucking bugs are 
sometimes very annoying to man. These insects are about an inch 
long. They occasionally bite man, the puncture causing much 
swelling and irritation. They fly only by night. Usually the only 
treatment required is the application of antiseptics. 
SCORPIONS. 
Scorpions are found under rocks and logs, especially in moist situa- 
tions, and were noted in Cuba in 1898 to be attracted to leather goods, 
saddles, and harness. 
The body is prolonged into a long tail, at the tip of which is a 
curved spine. In stinging, the scorpion strikes by bending the tail 
forward rapidly, inflicting a painful wound with the spine. Poison 
is introduced by the sting. As a rule, the sting of scorpions, while 
painful, does not produce serious consequences. | 
The treatment is to apply permanganate of potash. Washing an 
bathing with a weak solution of ammonia may also be tried, and 
stimulants should be given. 
CENTIPEDES. 
The centipedes are elongate creatures sometimes reaching 6 inches 
in length, with many pairs of legs. The centipede is equipped with 
poison glands at the base of the first pair of legs, which are bent for- 
ward so as to be used in holding their prey. These legs terminate in a 
powerful claw, at the tip of which is the outlet of the poison gland. 
_ The poison causes severe pain, accompanied by vomiting, irregular 
_ pulse, dizziness, and headache. The proper treatment is to bathe 
the injured part with a solution of ammonia (1 in 5 or 1 in 10). 
_ After bathing apply a dressing of the same alkali, or, if there is much 
_ swelling, an ice bag. The surgeon should be consulted without 
delay. 
SPIDERS. 
A poisonous spider occurring in the Southwest is commonly called 
tarantula. This is a very large hairy spider. It lives in a hole in 
_ the ground with a trap door, and its method of attack is suddenly to 
jump and bury its two sharp-pointed mandibles in the flesh. 
The usual treatment is to prevent absorption by a proximal 
ligature, to open the wound by an incision and apply alkaline solu- 
1 Conorhinus spp. 
