1934 ] 
Spider Bite by Oligoctenus 
37 
and little finger. By this time the intensity of the pain had 
diminished, there was no discoloration, while the tempera- 
ture of the swollen area rose to some extent. At this time 
the prickling pain was accompanied by a slight burning 
sensation in the region of the greatest swelling, which had 
enlarged the knuckle of the index finger to twice its original 
diameter. During all this time I was unable to bend the 
first three fingers of my left hand. 
June 13, 1929 — 6.30 A. M. — On awakening, I found that 
the swelling had subsided considerably, but the numb feel- 
ing still extended over the same area. The pain was the 
same prickly sensation as when a limb has “fallen asleep,” 
as the popular saying is. 
4.30 P. M. — Swelling entirely disappeared. No pain. 
For scientific records pertaining to spider bites and their 
effects one should recall the admirable and heroic experi- 
ments of Dr. Baerg and his experiences with the Tarantula 
and Black Widow. 
I offer this record as an addition to the few scattered re- 
cords pertaining to spider bites. No medical attention was 
administered, and the only treatment given was to place the 
hand in warm water, which somewhat relieved the pain. 
References 
Anonymous — 1932 — Increase in Spider Bite Poisoning. Sc. 
Am., 146 : 385, Je. 
Anonymous — 1926 — Bites from Poisonous Spiders. Science, 
n.s., 64: sup. 10, J. I. 16. 
Anonymous — 1916 — Tarantism and the Dancing Mania. Sc. 
Am., 82 : 195, S.23. 
Baerg, W. J. — 1921 — Effect of Poison of Tarantulas. Journ. 
Parasitol., 8: 86, Dec. 
Baerg, W. J. — 1922 — Regarding the Habits of Tarantulas 
and the Effects of their Poison. Sci. Monthly, 14: 
482-9, May. 
Culpepper, M. P. — 1924 — My Experience with Tarantula 
Bites. Southwestern Med., 8 :499-500, Oct. 
Reese, A. M. — 1921 — Venomous Spiders. Science, 54:382- 
5, Oct. 21. 
Watson, J. R. — 1922— Bite of Lactrodectus mactans. 
Science, n.s., 55 : 539, May 19. 
