Observations on Scorpion-Sting and Snake-Bite 1

Abstract

In the 10th Edition (1935) of his book on Tropical Diseases Manson-Bahr writes (p. 781)Scorpions are very common in the tropics and their stings are very painful and cause a considerable amount of inconvenience though they are not exactly dangerous except to young children, in whom, in addition to local symptoms, muscular cramp, profuse perspiration, pyrexia, vomiting and convulsions may be produced. Deaths have been reported from North and South Africa, the West-Indies, Mexico, Korea and Manchuria.It would thus be evident from this authority that fatal cases of scorpion-sting have not so far been reported from India. My experiences, however, as the Senior Visiting Physician of the Calcutta Medical College Hospitals during the period 1928 to 1939 are somewhat different. I therefore felt that I should record them.During the period 1928 to 1937 altogether 19 cases of scorpionsting were admitted into the Calcultta Medical College Hospitals.