Posted by John Savage on February 10, 2007, 9:33 pm
ABC radio was just talking about the white-tailed spider, saying that
the infection its bite sometimes causes can best be treated using the
same drug as is used for treating leprosy. (Come to think of it, there
does seem to be more than a passing resemblance between the two.)
A spider expert said that the flesh-eating infection is not unique to
the white-tailed spider and can be caused by other spiders. He said we
shouldn't kill white-tail spiders--they help to keep down the numbers of
red-backs and funnel-webs.
--
John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)
Posted by SG1 on February 11, 2007, 5:00 pm
> ABC radio was just talking about the white-tailed spider, saying that
> the infection its bite sometimes causes can best be treated using the
> same drug as is used for treating leprosy. (Come to think of it, there
> does seem to be more than a passing resemblance between the two.)
> A spider expert said that the flesh-eating infection is not unique to
> the white-tailed spider and can be caused by other spiders. He said we
> shouldn't kill white-tail spiders--they help to keep down the numbers of
> red-backs and funnel-webs.
> --
> John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)
Must have millions here in Sth Qld. Not a funnel web in sight.
Posted by Vampyre on February 11, 2007, 8:16 pm
> ABC radio was just talking about the white-tailed spider, saying that
> the infection its bite sometimes causes can best be treated using the
> same drug as is used for treating leprosy. (Come to think of it, there
> does seem to be more than a passing resemblance between the two.)
> A spider expert said that the flesh-eating infection is not unique to
> the white-tailed spider and can be caused by other spiders. He said we
> shouldn't kill white-tail spiders--they help to keep down the numbers of
> red-backs and funnel-webs.
> --
> John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)
The latest studies don't show any links between white tail spiders and
necrotising arachnidism. ( http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/
bhcarticles.nsf/pages/White_tailed_spider?OpenDocument )
On the other hand, they don't actually know what causes the problem.
I've seen another hypothesis (can't remember where) that suggested it
might be related to bacteria the spider is carrying. ie: The spider
has 'dirty' fangs, and these cause the infection, rather than the
actual venom. No idea if they ever managed to prove/disprove the
theory though.
Posted by Jonno on February 11, 2007, 9:41 pm
Vampyre wrote:
>> ABC radio was just talking about the white-tailed spider, saying that
>> the infection its bite sometimes causes can best be treated using the
>> same drug as is used for treating leprosy. (Come to think of it, there
>> does seem to be more than a passing resemblance between the two.)
>>
>> A spider expert said that the flesh-eating infection is not unique to
>> the white-tailed spider and can be caused by other spiders. He said we
>> shouldn't kill white-tail spiders--they help to keep down the numbers of
>> red-backs and funnel-webs.
>> --
>> John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)
>
> The latest studies don't show any links between white tail spiders and
> necrotising arachnidism. ( http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/
> bhcarticles.nsf/pages/White_tailed_spider?OpenDocument )
> On the other hand, they don't actually know what causes the problem.
> I've seen another hypothesis (can't remember where) that suggested it
> might be related to bacteria the spider is carrying. ie: The spider
> has 'dirty' fangs, and these cause the infection, rather than the
> actual venom. No idea if they ever managed to prove/disprove the
> theory though.
>
>
Yes it is a problem that while sensationalism of any problems lasts long
after the REAL facts are published. This then gets less publicity.
So we are all misinformed due to this lack of sensationalism of the real
truth.. Look at the problem with eggs and cholesterol. The readers
digest long ago stymied that theory and yet we are still being told to
avoid eggs. We should be told "Get out and exercise to lower
cholesterol, because you body manufactures that stuff itself. It has
nothing to do with eggs...
>>>>. I need real scientific proof before changing my mind with this
one....
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> the infection its bite sometimes causes can best be treated using the
> same drug as is used for treating leprosy. (Come to think of it, there
> does seem to be more than a passing resemblance between the two.)
> A spider expert said that the flesh-eating infection is not unique to
> the white-tailed spider and can be caused by other spiders. He said we
> shouldn't kill white-tail spiders--they help to keep down the numbers of
> red-backs and funnel-webs.
> --
> John Savage (my news address is not valid for email)