Spiders and Snakes

[Mark Walker]

Thanks to Bruce.  This sure sounds like the varmint that got me in
Armstrong.

Swelling's down, and there is only a very small lesion.  No further systemic
effects, although I was feeling flu-like symptoms for a few days (I blamed a
flu-bug).

Anyway, thanks for the info.

Mark Walker.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bruno [mailto:cues at itsnet.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2000 7:36 AM
> To: leps-l at lists.yale.edu
> Subject: Re: Spiders and Snakes
> 
> 
> More on the possible spider culprit: 
> http://hobospider.org/yellosac.html
> 
> "Bites by yellow sac spiders generally produce instant, 
> intense stinging
> pain, not unlike that of the sting of a wasp or hornet. This 
> may be followed
> by localized redness, swelling and itching; these 
> manifestations may or may
> not evolve into a necrotic lesion, but when that occurs 
> healing is usually
> complete within eight weeks. Systemic effects are usually not 
> severe, but
> when they occur may include chills, fever, headache, 
> dizziness, nausea,
> anorexia, and sometimes shock. Treament for the local lesion 
> should follow
> the same protocols as outlined for the hobo and brown recluse spiders:
> Likewise, corticosteroid therapy may be beneficial when 
> systemic effects are
> present."
> --
> Bruce
> Utah, USA
> 
> 
> Bruno <cues at itsnet.com> wrote in message
> news:66eq4.45731$ox5.11985967 at tw11.nn.bcandid.com...
> > Mark:
> > Maybe I'm an alarmist, but if it were me I'd have that 
> spider bite checked
> > out and ID the spider that bit you.
> > >You wrote: "(BTW, what's a fever tick?)."  In Utah, ticks 
> are known to be
> > vectors of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. Other tick born 
> diseases are Lyme
> > Disease and Colorado Tick Fever. These are serious diseases.
> > --
> > Bruce
> > Utah, USA
> >
> > Mark Walker <MWalker at gensym.com> wrote in message
> > news:45F8A30CE009D2118F850000F805064D01AC6278 at hqmail.gensym.com...
> > > I've shared many of the hazards associated with 
> butterflying in remote
> > > locations before, perhaps in an attempt to offset the 
> image of the wimpy
> > > butterfly collector.  When I think of what it took to 
> travel to some of
> > > these locations back in the second and third decades of 
> last century, it
> > > truly amazes me.  Driving in cars without air 
> conditioning on unpaved
> > roads
> > > - with little in the way of conveniences (no AM/PM handy 
> to refill the
> 32
> > > oz. soda cup).  The clothing was more uncomfortable.  The 
> locations more
> > > inaccessible.  These were a studly group - and I'm 
> talking about the
> > female
> > > Lepidopterists.
> > >
> > > So here I am in So. Texas, ready for more biting 
> mosquitoes and crawling
> > > ticks (BTW, what's a fever tick?).  While tracking some Phaon
> > Crescentspots
> > > in Armstrong, I feel this incredibly sharp pain in my middle left
> finger.
> > > What, a bee?  A wasp?  A red ant?  No - it's a spider, 
> about the size of
> > > tick.  It's pale yellow, and has elongated front legs.  
> And it's just
> > > created the most painful spider bite I've ever 
> experienced.  Apparently,
> > it
> > > didn't like being caught up in my net.  When it detected fleshly
> contact,
> > it
> > > gave it to me.
> > >
> > > Now, two days later, I think my finger is going to fall off.
> > >
> > > This will seriously hinder my salutations to courteous drivers who
> > > acknowledge my superior drive-and-watch-the-fauna maneuvering.
> > >
> > > O.K., so I'm just kidding about the falling off part.  
> It's swollen,
> > though,
> > > and constantly reminding me of it's donor.  I'm sure I'll survive
> > (although
> > > I was tempted to at least document the event, just in 
> case someone finds
> > me
> > > two days from now lumped over in the rental car on the 
> side of some
> > > abandoned road).  Speaking of abandoned roads - we 
> butterfliers do put
> > > ourselves into some rather vulnerable positions.  My wife 
> has often
> > remarked
> > > that if something were to happen to me, they wouldn't 
> find my body for
> > days
> > > - maybe weeks (heck, maybe never).
> > >
> > > Anyway, I'm certainly not whining.  I love this part of 
> it.  The swollen
> > > fingers, the itchy ankles, the abandoned roads - that one 
> butterfly
> moment
> > > that defines and justifies the excursion - it's great.  
> I'm afraid I
> can't
> > > hold a candle to the old timers, though.  When I see 
> specimen dates like
> > > 1913, and we're talking about the Mojave desert, I'm in awe.
> > >
> > > Mark Walker
> > > teaching in Houston, TX
> > >
> >
> >
>