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Stan Abrams, M.D.
The method of application of the stun gun for venomous bites is of the
utmost importance especially for the brown recluse spider bite. The venom of
the BRS has the nasty property of deep penetration and the ability to stay
in the system for years, The electrode placement is important.
One 10 to 12 inch extension lead made from a #14 to #10 braided copper
wire (depending on availability), with a clip attached to each end. On one
end I use a 1-3/8 inch insulated claw clip (Radio Shack #270-359) and on the
other end an insulated small alligator clip (Radio Shack #270-378A). The
reason for the claw clip is that it has a large flat surface area to make
contact with the skin. The smaller alligator clip is used to grasp one of
the poles of the stun gun.
The wire with the clips is attached to the stun gun using the small
alligator clip. The claw clip is placed on the opposite side of the
extremity from the bite using pressure to make good skin contact. If the
bite is on the abdomen then you must put the claw clip at least 10 inches
away from the bite site on the abdominal wall. The other pole from the stun
gun is applied to the skin at the bite site as close as possible. Good
contact is a must; otherwise there will be an arc and a spark burn to the
skin. The gun is fired for one second and then the pole is moved to the edge
of the area of redness and the gun is fired again. You will need to work
around the edge of inflamed area in either a clockwise or counterclockwise
manner giving 5 or 6 one-second shocks to the area in total. It is not
necessary to move the claw clip. The extension wire is not needed for other
venomous bites.
It has been my experience that in one or two hours most of the pain has
subsided. Any drainage should not last longer than 2 days and you should
notice healing starting.
The biological basis for the mechanism behind the shock is:
- The current will influence the hydrogen bonds of the enzymes,
destroying their secondary and tertiary structure.
- The high voltage, low amperage current applied will reduce metal ions
and zinc, copper, magnesium, iron, or calcium ions, which are firmly bound
to some venom enzymes and are mandatory cofactors for these enzymes.
- The electric particles interfere with the membrane as well as the
positive charged polypeptides, decreasing their cytotoxic properties.
Taken together the protective high-voltage treatment for venomous bites
is at least in part due to action of the electrical current on the venom
itself.
Surgery prior to this type of treatment is not the answer since the venom
has not been neutralized and the wound will break down again within a few
weeks or months. This is well documented.
More Info:
http://www.sabramsmd.com/brs/brs_stungun_protocol.html |
Stun Gun Protocol for Venomous Bites of the Brown Recluse Spider
