[Overpaid Slacker]

In EMT Class, we were taught that, while the Black Widow bite is nasty and the leading cause of death among spider bites, it is unlikely to cause death, except in the immuno-compromised, elderly or infants (and in those cases, prompt attention made survival likely).

The Brown Recluse, OTOH, leaves nasty scars that most times won't heal w/o surgery due to especially necrotic venom, but are rarely lethal.

Just my $.02. Personally, I'd studiously avoid either of them.

I got tagged by a particularly nasty scorpion whilst in Lesotho, and for months afterwards, the muscle in my arm into which it injected me hurt like the blazes any time I used it; enough to involuntarily open my hand. Played havoc with my googly.

JP