difficulty in sleeping. The local pain is frequently quite intense and the area surrounding
the bite remains scabbed and hard to the touch for some time. The tissue affected
locally by the venom is killed and gradually sloughs away, exposing the underlying
muscles. The edges of the wound thicken and are raised while the central area is filled
by dense scar tissue. Healing takes place quite slowly and may take 6 to 8 weeks. The
result is a sunken scar that has been described as resembling a hole punched or
scooped from the body. Scars ranging from the size of a penny to half-dollar have been
reported. The necrotic condition described above is typical of all bites of the brown
recluse. However, in some cases a general systemic reaction has also occurred. In
one case, the patient broke out with a rash resembling that of scarlet fever. In another
case, the kidneys were apparently affected causing bloody urine to be passed. These
systemic disturbances probably occur infrequently and are the result of a "full" bite (that
is, the injection of a maximum amount of venom) or extreme sensitivity to the venom.
This general reaction to the bite of the brown recluse is certainly a serious condition and
hospitalization of the patient is usually required. Those in poor general physical
condition, young chiIdren, and older people are more apt to be affected seriously by the
bite of the brown recluse.
Section IV. CLASSES CHILOPODA AND DIPLOPODA
1-13. CENTIPEDES (CHILOPODA)
a. Centipedes are found mostly in the tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate
regions of the world. They are all-predaceous and possess well-developed poison
glands for kiIIing their prey. The venom of centipedes is considered to be weak, and is
not fatal to humans. The poison glands are at the base of the first pair of legs, which
arch forward to function with the mouth parts. These legs end in pointed claws, which
have outlets for the poison glands. Most centipedes are harmless since only a small
number have fangs large enough to penetrate human skin.
b. Centipedes are flattened dorso ventrally. The body is made up of a distinct
head and 15 to 170 or segments that are more similar. Each segment has one pair of
tracheal openings and one pair of legs with six or seven joints (see figure 1-4). The
head has a pair of extremely long, many-jointed antennae and a pair of strong
mandibles. Adults of several species have shining greenish or blackish bodies and
orange or red legs and heads. Some are yellowish with dull red, longitudinal bands.
The young resemble the adults, having approximately the same number of segments.
1-14. MILLIPEDES (DIPLOPODA)
a. MiIIipedes affect humans primariIy because of their "stink" glands, which are
present in the majority of the species. These glands secrete a Iiquid, which may
produce a vesicular contact dermatitis in humans. During World War II, millipedes were
a continuous source of annoyance during the invasion of some of the western Caroline
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