Studies on the venom of South African scorpions (parabuthus, hadogenes, opisthophthalmus) and the preparation of a specific anti-scorpion serum

Abstract

Parabuthus, Opisthophthalmus, and Hadogenes venoms all contain a neurotoxic substance specific for the respiratory and neuromotor centers of the brain. The venom of Parabuthus is the most potent of the 3, based on tests on mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, and pigeons. Some hemorrhagic toxin is also present. Guinea pig red cells are hemolyzed more readily than are those of the sheep, but it takes a rather high venom conc. to even start the process at all. A specific antiscorpion serum is prepd. in immunized horses and seems to have the promise of some therapeutic value in the treatment of human victims of scorpion venom. This anti-serum needs much further testing before it can be judged accurately and its properties evaluated.