ANOTHER MAN BIT BY THE KATIPO.

Evening Star, Issue 4131, 24 May 1876, Page 3

ANOTHER MAN BIT BY THE KATIPO.

Mr J. M. Meek, of Waiwera, sends the Auckland ‘ Herald ’ the following narrative of the effects of the bite of the Katipo, or native spider: —Our readers will remember that Mr Samuel Allen was bit in a similar manner a short time since. Mr Meek writes—“lt was on the morning of the 24th ultimo, at 3 pan., my son (a man of thirty-one years of age) was awakened from his sleep by the bite of one of those poisonous insects, and came into our bed-room about an hour afterwards, and exclaimed to his mother and myself, ‘ I am bitten by one of those spiders that the natives have so often spoken to me about, and am full of pain. See, here it is, in the bottom of the candlestick,’ I looked at the insect, whose body was about the size of an ordinary pea, and in color nearly approaching to black. His mother, on looking at his back, saw the puncture the spider had made, and immediately commenced sucking the wound. I proceeded to the hotel, and obtained the services of Dr Mohnbeer. On my return with him to my house, my son was suffering the most excruciating pain in the groin, the vims apparently working its way in that direction. After an application of ammonia by the doctor, the pain shifted from the groin and worked its way up the spine, affecting the arms and chest during the remainder of the day, and lasting till the following morning, my son moaning with pain the whole time. On Tuesday the pain became intense, the virus working its way into his legs, causing the veins to swell very much. We applied turnip poultice to the wound, and when taken off a quantity of black fluid came from the sore. During the afternoon the pain in the legs and big toes still continued. Dr. Mohnbeer prescribed a liniment, which, after rubbing well into the legs, caused a black, inky-colored fluid to emit itself through the pores of the skin in large drops, from which time my sou began to improve, and has continued improving ever since but suffers much from weakness. From the time he was bitten on the Monday, till the Friday following, he lost scarcely 121bs in flesh. I forgot to state that when he was first bitten, I gave him small doses of brandy at intervals during the first two days, which seemed to have the effect of greatly relieving the pain. I am informed by Te Hemera, native chief here, and also by other natives, that many fatal cases among their ranks have taken place by the bite of the kat ; po; they also believe the sufferer is sure to die if they cannot find the spider ; but, on the contrary, if they find it and burn it in the fire, the patient gets well in three days. If they cannot find the insect, they set fire to thehouse and burn buildings, effects, and everything else. In this case, the spider was found, and Dr Mohnbeer has it preserved in spirits in his surgery. J write this to caution persons to look well to their bed-clothes before retiring to rest, as I have witnessed persons suffering from tho bite of snakes and other reptiles in Australia, but never saw anyone in such agony as my son during the time the poison was taking effect.

The latest novelty in Christchurch is advertised as the Uuicical Circus. It consists or a number of velocipedes, arranged in a circle, the wheels running in a sort of cir cular tramway. There are also besides the velocipedes seats for those who prefer rapid motion without exertion. Contrary to the usual style of merry-go rounds the spirited proprietor of this is enabled to enjoy a comfortable seat, and a ride without labor, at the name time having the comfortable relitction that ho is well paid for it.