In an article by Dr. Beverly Clark, in the
         Journal of the United Medical Association
         (JUMA), the mystery behind a recent spate of
         deaths has been solved.    If you haven't
         already heard about it in the news, here is
         what happened.

         Three women in Chicago, 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 (Big Chappies, at Blare
         Airport), 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 small spider.  The spider was
         captured and brought back to the lab, where it
         was determined  to be the South American Blush
         Spider (arachnius gluteus), 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 Los Angeles
         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
         New York, changing planes in Chicago, before
         returning home. He did not visit Big Chappies
         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 South America. The
         Civilian Aeronautics Board (CAB) ordered an
         immediate inspection  of the toilets of all
         flights from South America, and discovered the
         Blush  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 bout
         --

          Officer Sylvia Steele Texas A&M International
          University 5201 University Blvd. Laredo, Tx
          78041-1999 956-326-2100 Fax:    956-326-2099
          Email:  steele@tamiu.edu