Latrodectus katipo
Latrodectus katipo (NZ katipo spider) · Animal
Latrodectus Katipo produces symptoms from spider venom: nervous depression, circulatory collapse with pallor or cyanosis, muscular twitchings, and marked abdominal cramping. Symptoms can have a slow evolution and may become fatal. It shares characteristics with other spider and serpent venom remedies.
Key symptoms
- Immediate pain and swelling at bite site, sometimes delayed several days
- Scarlet papulous rash on both extremities burning like fire
- Lassitude and faintness with nervous depression
- Twitchings and in some cases trismus (jaw stiffness, could not open mouth)
- Extreme pallor changing to blue tint of face and body
- Very severe drawing or cramping sensation in abdomen
- Respirations almost ceased
- Delirium with imperfect intoxication
Better (amelioration)
- Spirits of ammonia (pain and swelling from bite relieved)
Latrodectus katipo. N. O. Arachnida. Tincture of living spider.
Clinical
Chorea. Faintness. Heart, slow. Nettle-rash. Œdema.
Characteristics
Katipo is a venomous spider found in New Zealand and some parts of California. The symptoms recorded are the effects of bites. The seat of a bite becomes immediately painful and swelling occurs. In some cases the swelling does not come on until some days after the bite. In one case, five days after the bite, a scarlet papulous rash appeared on both extremities, burning like fire. Lassitude, faintness, twitchings, and in one case trismus were noted. The symptoms were somewhat slow in evolution, and in a fatal case, that of a girl bitten on the abdomen, death did not occur until six weeks after the bite.
Classical texts are in the public domain. Educational reference only — not medical advice.
