KATIPO.
Latrodectus Kapito (Trans. New Zealand Inst., 1870,
vol. 3, p. 56).
Natural order
, Arachnida.
Native name
(New Zealand), Katipo; the
venomous spider of New Zealand and parts of California.
Authorities.
1,
Dr. Wright, Med. Times and Gaz., 1870, p. 570, effects in a man bitten
on the shoulder; 2, Rev. Mr.
Chapman, case of a girl bitten on abdomen (from the last); 3, same, a boy was bitten in the fleshy part
of the thigh; 4, Dr. E. J. Fraser,
Med. Invest., 10, p. 667, effects in a man bitten on the dorsum of the
left foot.
MIND.
►
Delirium, half smothered by imperfect intoxication (third day), [4].
FACE.
►
Anxious expression of countenance (third day), [4]. ►
Countenance and general surface of the body assumed a hue of extreme
pallor, which gradually turned a blue tint, [1]. ► On
attempting to eat found he could not open his mouth, nor was scarcely
able to articulate, in consequence of stiffness about the jaws, very
soon; it was difficult to understand what he had to say, [1].
STOMACH.
►
Lost all desire for food (after a fortnight); lingered in this way about
six weeks, and then died, [2].
ABDOMEN.
►
Very severe drawing or crampy sensation in the abdomen (second morning),
[4].
RESPIRATORY ORGANS.
►
Respirations almost ceased, [1]. ► Almost pulseless; pulse usually slow,
scarcely counting more than 12 or 14 beats in a minute, [1].
INFERIOR EXTREMITIES.
► Severe shooting-burning pains ran from
the bite on the foot up the limb to the back, accompanied by nervous
twitching all over his body (soon); the pain was felt almost equally in
both limbs, and seemed to centre about the heel, before evening (second
day), [4]. [10.] ►
The foot felt as if it had been rudely lacerated by some dull
instrument, waking him from sleep (immediately), [4].
GENERAL SYMPTOMS.
►
He suffered long, wasting and losing all energy, soon having the
appearance of one going into a decline; if I recollect correctly it was
three months before he rallied, and probably another three before he
recovered, [3]. ► Nervous twitching all over his body,
soon, [4]. ►
Could not return to his work for several days, but complained of great
lassitude and nervous depression, which he was sensible of for many days
after, [1]. ►
Faint, [1]. ►
Suddenly became faint and pallid (after a fortnight), [2]. ► Large
quantities of whisky produced but little impression, except a feeling,
as he described it, as though the affected side was drunk (second day), [4]. ►
Severe pain, [2].
SKIN.
►
Small red spot resembling a fleabite, [4].
► Bitten surface raised to an extent
as large round as a teacup; this elevated surface was white, and was
surrounded by a halo of red, not unlike an exaggerated wheal of the
nettlerash; he complained of considerable pain in the bitten part;
swelling and pain relieved by spirits of ammonia, [1]. [20.] ► Swelling, of the size and shape of the
obtuse end of a hen’s egg; strong ammonia lessened the pain, but failed
to decrease the swelling, [2]. ► The point that was bitten, which up to
this time remained a small purple point, began on the tenth day to
swell, turned white like the swelling which follows the sting of a wasp
or bee; the swelling was so painful and so rapid that within three hours
the write spot was nearly as large as a twenty-five cent silver coin,
the whole dorsum of the foot and ankle became very much swollen, the
foot was like a puffball, and a red streak was observed running up the
leg, [4]. ►
The tendency of the swelling to extend up the limb ceased as soon as the
escharotic began to act with energy, [4].
► In about three days the eschar
sloughed, but in removing it, which was covered by adhesive plaster,
fully a teaspoonful of straw-colored fluid escaped; in less than five
minutes the cavity filled again with the same kind of fluid; the
discharge being continued the wound was dressed with bread-and-milk
poultices, with readily absorbed it; the swelling diminished rapidly and
all symptoms improved, so that in about ten days he was able to go his
office; the wound did not fully heal, but was covered over by a
dark-red-film; I opened it two months after he was bitten, when several
drops of reddish fluid escaped, [4].
► A bright, scarlet, papular eruption
appeared upon both lower extremities, which stung and burned like fire
(fifth day), [4].
FEVER.
►
Extremities cold and flaccid, [1].
► A cold clammy perspiration covered
the left lower extremity; in the morning the perspiration covered both
lower limbs, [4].® 2000
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