North Queensland road surveyor A.C. Macmillan was among the first to document the effects of a stinging tree, reporting to his boss in 1866 that his packhorse was stung, got mad, and died within two hours. Similar tales abound in local folklore of horses jumping in agony off cliffs and forestry workers drinking themselves silly to dull the intractable pain.
Writing to Marina in 1994, Australian ex-serviceman Cyril Bromley described falling into a stinging tree during mili*tary training on the tableland in World War II. Strapped to a hospital bed for three weeks and administered all manner of unsuccessful treatments, he was sent as mad as a cut snake by the pain. Cyril also told of an officer shooting himself after using a stinging-tree leaf for toilet purposes.
Hes had too many stings to count but Ernie Rider will never forget the day in 1963 that he was slapped in the face, arms and chest by a stinging tree. I remember it feeling like there were giant hands trying to squash my chest, he said. For two or three days the pain was almost unbearable; I couldnt work or sleep, then it was pretty bad pain for another fortnight or so. The stinging persisted for two years and recurred every time I had a cold shower.
Now a senior conservation officer with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, Ernie said hes not experienced anything like the pain during 44 years work in the bush. Theres nothing to rival it; its 10 times worse than anything else scrub ticks, scrub itch and itchy-jack sting included. Stinging trees are a real and present danger.
Fire exists for a reason
I don't think that will eliminate the problem here.
I don't know how anyone in Australia lives to retirement age. If the dingos eat a baby they're doing it a favor.
Giant Hogweed is a phototoxic plant. Its sap can cause phytophotodermatitis (severe skin inflammations) when the skin is exposed to sunlight or to UV-rays. Initially the skin colours red and starts itching. Then blisters form as it burns within 48 hours. They form black or purplish scars that can last several years. Hospitalisation may be necessary.[7] Presence of minute amounts of sap in the eyes can lead to temporary or even permanent blindness.[9] These reactions are caused by the presence of linear derivatives of furocoumarin in its leaves, roots, stems, flowers and seeds. These chemicals can get into the nucleus of the epithelial cells, forming a bond with the DNA, causing the cells to die. The brown colour is caused by the production of melanin by furocoumarins. In Germany, where this plant has become a real nuisance, there were about 16,000 victims in 2003
We've got some nasty plants here too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_hogweed
Dude, it's Australia. EVERYTHING kills you there.
Wonder if the pain is worse then the box jelly fish?
Grrrrrrreat now I'm not to sure about visiting the in-laws down under.
Any good excuses to get out of it?
That said, I'm convinced Australia is actually a continental sized colony ship from another alien civilization that settled here on earth with the intent of destroying all indigenous life on this planet.
very true. dont they have like 7/10 of the worlds most deadly snakes?