The approach to the treatment of venomous and poisonous arthropod bites and stings in ancient medicine: A narrative review

Objective: Arthropod bites and stings have always been of interest to humans; therefore, researchers have always been interested in their prevention and timely treatment. Considering the brilliance of ancient Iranian physicians, especially Avicenna, this study was conducted based on their views on diagnosing and treating venomous arthropod bites and stings.Methods: This study is a narrative review conducted by surveying sources, especially The Canon of Medicine, and searching for the keywords “bites,” “stings,” “poisonous,” “venomous arachnids,” and“insects” as well as the diagnosis and treatment of bites and stings .The study was conducted in ۲۰۲۲ and in Kashan and Kerman universities of medical sciences. Sampling method was based onthe study objective.The collected data was then summarized.Results: To diagnose the bite or sting, the clinical manifestations of the patient, local symptoms in the bite or sting site, and the classification of the venomous arthropods, such as spiders, wasps, scorpions, etc., are used. Venom suction and using medicinal plants and ointments of mineral compounds were proposed as treatment methods.Conclusion: Therapeutic methods and the use of herbal and mineral compounds are widely mentioned in The Canon. There are a lot of connections and harmony between modern and conventional medicine, in the clinical description of bites and stings as well as their diagnosis, but more research is suggested on treatment methods

Keywords:

Venom , Insect , Arachnid , Arthropod , envenomation