Venomous Arthropod Handbook: Envenomization Symptoms, Treatment, Identification, Biology and Control
9781465664198
213 pages
Library of Alexandria
Overview
Air Force personnel stationed in the continental United States face a greater risk of contacting a venomous arthropod than the average United States resident because: (1) a large portion of bases are located in the southern half of the United States, where venomous arthropods are most numerous; (2) many facilities (such as radar, communications, security, and missile sites) are located in remote areas where venomous arthropods are not controlled; (3) numerous Air Force training and work activities must be performed outside; and (4) many military structures (such as older wooden buildings, storage buildings, and field training facilities) provide excellent habitats for venomous arthropods. It is important, therefore, that Air Force medical facilities have current information available concerning the most important venomous arthropods in their areas. The venomous arthropods discussed in this handbook were selected for inclusion due to the relative severity of their envenomizations and/or the high frequency of their contact with humans. It should be stressed that other arthropods found in the United States are capable of producing envenomization reactions in humans. Regardless, all venomous arthropods found in the United States can be categorized under one of the three types of envenomization methods described in this handbook: (1) biting/piercing, (2) stinging, and (3) urticating/vesicating. The biting/piercing arthropods inject a toxin through an apparatus associated with or near their mouthparts; and the stinging arthropods, through a stinger located at the posterior end of the abdomen. Urticating and vesicating arthropods are grouped together because they both release their toxins on contact. They differ in that the urticating arthropods usually release their toxin through venomous hairs; and vesicating arthropods carry a toxic substance within their system, which is released through small body openings.
