Certain species of _spiders_ are venomous, the _tarantula_ being the best known. Certain _scorpions_ also inflict poisonous stings, and _centipedes_ and other animals occasion at least serious local disturbance by bites or stings. These insects and animals seldom attack unless irritated or disturbed. Tarantula bites are occasionally inflicted in the Northern States by spiders which have concealed themselves in shipments of fruit, bunches of bananas being especially likely to be their hiding places. The injuries inflicted by these animal organisms cause local pain, considerable swelling, with remote effects on the nervous system, prostration, restlessness, etc. They are seldom fatal, but may cause annoyance and serious disturbance. These cases are to be treated in the same way as bites of poisonous serpents, adapting the measures and the energy of the treatment to the severity of the symptoms. POISONING BY WASPS, HORNETS, AND BEES. _Wasps_, _hornets_, and _bees_ are capable of inflicting severe stings; domestic insects, like _mosquitoes_, _bed-bugs_, etc., inflict minute wounds which sometimes occasion excessive annoyance. Their sting is followed by pain, burning sensation, sometimes intense itching, and more or less swelling. Enough poison is deposited to produce local vasomotor paralysis, as the result of which wheals resembling those of urticaria, or more extensive swellings, quickly result. If the sting of an insect has been broken off in the flesh it may remain and intensify the disturbance. Two or three injuries of this kind create local disturbance, but there are some instances on record where men and animals have been stung to death when attacked by swarms of these insects, death apparently being due to intensification of effect owing to increased dosage of poison. If a sting occur upon loose tissues, like the eyelid, or upon the tongue or lips, swelling and suffering may be extreme. If symptoms of depression present, they should be combated by stimulants, diffusible or other, and by hypodermic medication _pro re nata_. Local discomfort may be alleviated by ice, by menthol, by chloral camphor, etc.[5] [5] Oil of lavender is a pleasant means of local protection against mosquitoes, etc. Oil of tar is also in common use. A mixture of equal parts of camphor and chloral, with menthol dissolved in the mixture (camphor and chloral when mixed without other ingredients quickly form a dense fluid like glycerin), gives great local relief from the itching and pain of insect bites. _Many of the lower forms of marine animals_ are capable of inflicting stings by their rays, or minute injuries in other ways, which give rise to great temporary annoyance. The _stinging nettle_, etc., is an instance of this kind. The lesions produced in this way partake of the nature of a more or less acute dermatitis. ARROW POISON.