Carl D. Osborn, M.D. (deceased)

Dr. Osborn wrote 3 papers on the treatment of spider bites.  They were published in the The Journal of the Oklahoma State Medical Association. Below are excerpts from the articles and  a Tulsa World newspaper article.

• Treatment of Venomous Bite by High Voltage Direct Current - January 1990
• Treatment of Spider Bites by High Voltage Direct Current - June 1991
• Multiple HVDC Shocks as First Aid or Therapy for Venomous Bites and Stings - July 1992

• Physician Pulls Stun Gun to Treat Spider Bites - By David Blum, Tulsa World, Sunday, July 28, 1991.

Although others disagree, Osborn believes that standard treatments, which involve the injection of medication into a bite, spread the venom and increase tissue loss and scarring.  The shock treatment neutralizes the venom before it can damage tissue. The unproven theory as to why the treatment works is that metallic components in venom are altered when blasted with high current.

To treat a bite, the doctor attaches an extension wire to one terminal on the stun gun.   That wire is placed on the skin on the opposite side of the arm or leg where the bite is located.  The other terminal is placed directly on the lesion, coursing the jolt through the bite area.  Next, shocks are administered across the bite in a spoke pattern to cover any areas in which the venom may still be active.  Antibiotics and tetanus boosters are administered when required.

Osborn stresses that only DC, or direct current, from a stun gun powered by a nine-volt battery be used.