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. 
