The Compass
Monday, November 25, 2002 9
( HEALTH )
beware of public RESTROOMS!!
An article by Dr. Beverly Clark,
jnthe Journal of the United Medical
Association (JUMA), the mystery
tjehind 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 North Florida,
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 discov
ered, however, that they had all
visited the same restaurant (Olive
Garden) within days of their deaths.
The health department descended
on the restaurant, shutting it down.
The food, water, and air condition
ing 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 a small spider.
The spider was captured and
brought back to the lab, where it
was determined to be the Two-
Striped Telamonia (Telamonia
dimidiata), 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, cli
mates, and toilet rims provide just
the right atmosphere.
Several days later a lawyer
from Jacksonville 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 Indonesia,
changing planes in Singapore,
before returning home. He did not
visit (Olive Garden), while there. He
did, as did all of the other victims,
have what was determined to be a
puncture wound, on his right but
tock.
Investigators discovered that
the flight he was on had originated
in India. The Civilian Aeronautics
Board (CAB) ordered an immediate
inspection of the toilets of all flights
from India, and discovered the Two-
Striped Telamonia (Telamonia
dimidiata) spider’s nests on 4 differ
ent 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 every
one you care about.
Officer Sylvia Steele
University of North Florida
Science Dept
4567 St. Johns Bluff Road,
South Jacksonville, FL 32224-2645
BURST INTO A HEALTH CAREER!!!
• Are you undecided about your maior?
Do YOU WANT TO BECOME A HEALTH PROFESSIONAL?
Do YOU WANT TO ATTEND SEMINARS AND WORKSHOPS?
Do YOU WANT TO MEET RECRUITERS FROM HEALTH PROFESSIONAL
SCHOOLS?
Do YOU WANT OTHER STUDENTS PURSUING HEALTH PROFESSIONS?
Do YOU WANT TO INCREASE YOUR MCAT AND HEALTH PROFES
SIONAL SCHOOL TEST SCORES?
Do YOU WA^TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALLIED HEALTH PROGRAMS?
If you^answered YEs"^j^^ of the ouestions above, visit the
N*X. jWhEALIH tAREERfl^^CESS PROGRAM AT ELIZABETH CiTY
I University.
We^re LOCAyED"TN ti^E Cardwell/Hoffler Infirmary.
If you have any questions or
concerns, call us at (252) 335-3270.
Izila Mouring, Director
Miriam Jackson, Coordinator
Melvona Griffin, Office Assistant
In 1985, Ms. Izila Felton Mouring, an
alumna, out of love for her two (2)
uncles, initiated a scholarship in their
names for the purpose of assisting stu
dents with their education and recruit
ing dynamic football players. Since
then, the scholarship has gone over
$20,000.00. Ms. Mouring would like
to increase it to at least $100,000.00.
Please join me in making contributions
to this scholarship by sending your do
nations to:
Elizabeth City State University Foundation
J & G Felton Scholarship Fund
Elizabeth City State University
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
4