Woman Injects Crushed Black Widow

In 1996, a 37-year-old woman in California survived after she crushed a whole black widow spider, mixed it with 10 mL of distilled water, and injected the suspension intravenously. She had a history of IV heroin use and told doctors she did it in an attempt to get high. About an hour after the injection, she arrived at the emergency department with severe, generalized muscle pain and cramping, especially in her abdomen, thighs, and back, along with a headache and intense anxiety.

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