The brown recluse spider produces a bite that gives little or no pain at first-but is extremely toxic. This creature is more to be feared than the black widow spider-which is more easily identified.

A brown recluse spider

Within 24 hours a purplish-red blister develops at the site of the bite, and extensive "tissue death" occurs beneath the bite, producing a very deep and angry ulceration extending down to the bone, often lasting for many weeks or months, if it's not fatal. It takes months to heal and leaves a deep puckered scar-at best.

Since there is no antidote and no anti-venom, the only treatment generally recognized medically is that of wide surgical excision, or cutting away any flesh containing venom-or amputation, in hopes of physically removing all of the venom.

It has been found that the treatment of choice for brown recluse spider bite is a compress of powdered charcoal applied as soon after the bite as possible, preferably during the first 24 hours, with frequent changes (about every 30 minutes for the first eight hours). The next day, the time interval for changing the poultices or compresses (mixed with water, cornstarch and charcoal) can be lengthened to two and then four hours.

A woman's leg showing a brown recluse spider bite

An anesthetist, on hearing the report of how charcoal poultices are a near-specific for the extremely toxic bite of the brown recluse spider, related that just the previous day he had anesthetized a lady for the second time, to do a more extensive amputation of her foot from the bite of a brown recluse spider that had bitten her over two months before. The first amputation had not removed all the damaged tissue, and it had failed to heal.

Charcoal compresses are also quite effective for persons extremely allergic to bee stings. Also apply charcoal poultices to snake bites, one after another, every 10 minutes until the victim can get to the emergency room. If the snake is venomous, swelling appears in about 10 minutes. Charcoal should also be taken by mouth. Put one tablespoon in about 4 ounces (1/4 cup) of water or juice. Pour into a small jar-cap carefully- then shake vigorously and drink through a straw. Charcoal absorbs toxins of all kinds, incredibly so!