FlameRush
03-23-2003, 09:06 AM
Subject: [COPD] spiders... need to be aware!
SPIDERS
Three women in North Florida, turned up at hospitals over a 5-day
period, all with the same symptoms. Fever, chills, and vomiting,
followed by
muscular collapse, paralysis, and finally, death. There were no outward
signs of trauma. Autopsy results showed toxicity in the blood.
These women did not know each other, and seemed to have nothing in
common.
It was discovered, however, that they had all visited the same
restaurant
(Olive Garden)within days of their deaths. The health department
descended
on the restaurant, shutting it down. The food, water, and air
conditioning were all inspected and tested, to no avail.
The big break came when a waitress at the restaurant was rushed to the
hospital with similar symptoms. She told doctors that she had been on
vacation, and had only went to the restaurant to pick up her check.
She did not eat or drink while she was there, but had used the
restroom.
That is when one toxicologist, remembering an article he had read,
drove
out to the restaurant, went into the restroom, and lifted the toilet
seat.
Under the seat, out of normal view, was a small spider. The spider was
captured and brought back to the lab, where it was determined to be
the Two-Striped Telamonia (Telamonia dimidiata) , so named because of
its
reddened flesh color. This spider's venom is extremely toxic, but can
take
several days to take effect. They live in cold, dark, damp, climates,
and
toilet rims provide just the right atmosphere.
Several days later a lawyer from Jacksonville showed up at a hospital
emergency room. Before his death, he told the doctor, that he had been
away on business, had taken a flight from Indonesia, changing planes in
Singapore,before returning home. He did not visit(Olive Garden), while
there. He did, as did all of the other victims, have what was
determined
to be a puncture wound, on his right buttock.
Investigators discovered that the flight he was on had originated in
India.
The Civilian Aeronautics Board (CAB) ordered an immediate inspection
of the toilets of all flights from India, and discovered the
Two-Striped
Telamonia (Telamonia dimidiata)spider's nests on 4 different planes!
It is now believed that these spiders can be anywhere in the country.
So please, before you use a public toilet, lift the seat to check for
spiders.
It can save your life! And please pass this on to everyone you care
about.
Officer Sylvia Steele
University of North Florida Science Dept
4567 St. Johns Bluff Road, South
Jacksonville, FL 32224-2645
SPIDERS
Three women in North Florida, turned up at hospitals over a 5-day
period, all with the same symptoms. Fever, chills, and vomiting,
followed by
muscular collapse, paralysis, and finally, death. There were no outward
signs of trauma. Autopsy results showed toxicity in the blood.
These women did not know each other, and seemed to have nothing in
common.
It was discovered, however, that they had all visited the same
restaurant
(Olive Garden)within days of their deaths. The health department
descended
on the restaurant, shutting it down. The food, water, and air
conditioning were all inspected and tested, to no avail.
The big break came when a waitress at the restaurant was rushed to the
hospital with similar symptoms. She told doctors that she had been on
vacation, and had only went to the restaurant to pick up her check.
She did not eat or drink while she was there, but had used the
restroom.
That is when one toxicologist, remembering an article he had read,
drove
out to the restaurant, went into the restroom, and lifted the toilet
seat.
Under the seat, out of normal view, was a small spider. The spider was
captured and brought back to the lab, where it was determined to be
the Two-Striped Telamonia (Telamonia dimidiata) , so named because of
its
reddened flesh color. This spider's venom is extremely toxic, but can
take
several days to take effect. They live in cold, dark, damp, climates,
and
toilet rims provide just the right atmosphere.
Several days later a lawyer from Jacksonville showed up at a hospital
emergency room. Before his death, he told the doctor, that he had been
away on business, had taken a flight from Indonesia, changing planes in
Singapore,before returning home. He did not visit(Olive Garden), while
there. He did, as did all of the other victims, have what was
determined
to be a puncture wound, on his right buttock.
Investigators discovered that the flight he was on had originated in
India.
The Civilian Aeronautics Board (CAB) ordered an immediate inspection
of the toilets of all flights from India, and discovered the
Two-Striped
Telamonia (Telamonia dimidiata)spider's nests on 4 different planes!
It is now believed that these spiders can be anywhere in the country.
So please, before you use a public toilet, lift the seat to check for
spiders.
It can save your life! And please pass this on to everyone you care
about.
Officer Sylvia Steele
University of North Florida Science Dept
4567 St. Johns Bluff Road, South
Jacksonville, FL 32224-2645