(NaturalNews) I first experienced bromelain several years ago when I was bitten by a brown recluse spider on the front of my upper left leg –- in three places no less. This was the second time I had been bitten –- the first time I was bitten resulted in the loss of a chunk of flesh and, much worse, being crippled for several months thanks to the treating physician botching the treatment and thrusting his deadening needle into my bursal sac. Since I did not want to repeat that ugly memory and I was in my first few years of studying natural health, I decided to try to handle it myself.