Consecutive stings by red scorpions evoke severe cardiovascular manifestations in the first, but not in the second, victim: a clinical observation.

Three pairs of scorpion sting victims ((1) daughter and mother, (2) brother and sister and (3) brother and sister) were admitted. In each pair, both were stung by the same scorpion. A patients from each pair were the first stung (initial sting), B patients the second. All A victims of the three pairs had cardiovascular manifestations: hypertension, with pulmonary oedema; hypotension-bradycardia, pulmonary oedema; and hypertension respectively. B victims from the three pairs suffered no systemic or cardiovascular involvement, only severe excruciating local pain at the sting site. It is concluded that A victims received a large dose of venom, injected by the scorpion virtually evacuating the telson resulting in an 'autonomic storm' and severe cardiovascular involvement.