Introduction
Latrodectus Katipo (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.
Mind
Delirium, half smothered by imperfect intoxication (third day).
Face
Anxious expression of countenances (third day). Countenance and general surface of the body assumed a hue of extreme pallor which gradually turned a blue tint;. 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.
Stomach.
Lost all desire for food (after a fortnight);lingered in this way about six weeks and then died.
Abdomen
Very severe growing or crampy sensation in the abdomen (second morning).
Respiratory Organs
Respirations almost ceased. Almost pulseless; pulse usually slow, scarcely counting more than 12 or 14 beats in a minute.
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);. The foot felt as if it had been rudely lacerated by some dull instrument, waking him from sleep (immediately).
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. Nervous twitching all over his body, soon. 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. Faint. Suddenly become faint and pallid (after a fortnight). Large quantities of whisky produced but little impression, except a feeling, as he described it, as though the affected side was drunk (second day). Severe pain.
Skin
Small red spot resembling a fleabite. 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. Swelling, of the size and shape of the obtuse end of hen’s egg; strong ammonia lessened the pain but failed to decrease the swelling. 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 white spot was nearly as large as a twenty-five cent silver coin, the whole dorsum of the foot and ankle become very much swollen, the foot was like a puffball, and a red streak was observed running up the leg. The tendency of the swelling to extend up the limb ceased as soon as the escharotic began to act with energy. 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 discharged being continued the wound was dressed with bread-and-milk poultices, which readily absorbed it; the swelling diminished rapidly and all symptoms improved, so that in about ten days he was able to go to 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. A bright scarlet, papular eruption appeared upon both lower extremities, which stung and burned like fire (fifth day).
Fever
Extremities cold flaccid. A cold clammy perspiration covered the left lower extremity; in the morning the perspiration covered both lower limbs.
Born in 1837in Westminster, Vermont. . He was an orthodox doctor who converted to homeopathy
Dr. Allen compiled the Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica over the course of 10 years.
In 1881 Allen published A Critical Revision of the Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica.