THE KATIPO SPIDER.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14156, 7 March 1908, Page 14

THE KATIPO SPIDER.

Sir—ln the' Daily 'Times of Tuesday last I read that a farmer near Palm'ereton North, was bitten,by a katipo spider, but "is now progressing satisfactorily in the Palmorton Hqpital. He is more fortunate than some others. Le<s than a. year, ago, I remember, a little boy near Seaclilf died from tho bite of a katipo spider, though he had the benefit of careful medical attendance. I wish to suggest that the physiological action of the venom of the katipo spider should bo thoroughly investigated. By injecting tho poison into tho, artery of' a rabbit and noting the actuai physiological cause of death—as, perhaps, for example, its inhibitory effect on eoi'ne of the nerve centres in the brain, medulla, or spinal cord—an indication might be. obtained of the best antidote to use—probably one of the known vegetable alkaloids the physiological action of which directly antagonises that of the venom.'-

The president of the Medical Congress here last year has made an exhaustive investigation into the causes of hydatids— one of our New Zealand pests. An equally exhaustive investigation into the nature and treatment of the bito of the katipo Bpider—the other of our New Zealand pests—remains to be undertaken.— I am, etc., A Would-be March 5.