BOMBYX PROCESSIONEA.
An insect belonging to the class Lepidoptera.
Common name
, Procession moth (common in Europe, on oak trees).
[Avenues in the Bois de Boulogne are sometimes closed, to protect the public from the
irritation of the skin that the hairs of this caterpillar cause.] Preparation,
Tincture of the live caterpillars.
Authorities.
1, Calmeil,
N. Journ. de Med., vol. 9, effects of disturbing a nest; 2,
Galignani’s Messenger (Pharm. J., 22, 136), a boy shook from a tree an immense number of the
caterpillars into his naked breast.
EYES.
► Painful swelling of
the lids, [1]. ►
Lachrymation, [1].
STOMACH AND EXTREMITIES.
►
Nausea, [1]. ► In
the morning, swelling of the hands and finger-joints, [1].
SKIN.
► Skin covered with
large red spots, which were soon followed by a general swelling, [2]. ► Dr. C. preserved a nest of
the caterpillars in a large glass vial, which was not opened for ten years. At length it was
opened in the presence of several persons, all of whom caught the eruption, [1]. ► If a nest of the insects is
touched or stirred up, persons within reach of the emanations arising therefrom will be
attacked with a papulous eruption, more or less confluent which will last several days and
be attended with violent itching, [1]. ► The arms are covered with hard, large, uneven, areola-formed
tubercles, with a red areola, so thick as to leave hardly any space between, [1]. ► Eruption of a wonderful
number of linear-formed tubercles over the whole arm, and even over the chest and abdomen;
most marked near all the joints, [1]. [10.] ► Sensation as if a
foreign body were under the skin, [1]. ► Itching of whole body, [1].
► A severe itching sensation, so that he was compelled to
run home for assistance, [2]. ►
Itching, evenings, not relieved by anything, [1]. ► Itching of both hands, increasing to a pain, [1].
SLEEP AND DREAMS.
►
Frequent waking, nights, [1]. ►
Dreams that the arm is being cauterized, and arrows thrust into the muscles, [1].
FEVER.
► Burning heat;
great desire to scrape the skin, [1]. ► Violent heat of arms and face, [1].
► Fever, somnolency, and delirium, followed by death, [2].® 2000
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