Of 33 cases of scorpion sting admitted to hospital in Mahad, Maharashtra State, India, 10 had a mean blood pressure between 100 and 137 mm/Hg and 11 had a heart rate between 130 and 215 per min. Seven patients developed acute pulmonary oedema; there were 2 deaths. Three patients had local pain at the site of sting. The role of vasodilators such as prazosin hydrochloride, sodium nitroprusside and nifedipine were investigated in addition to digoxin, diuretics and aminophylline to alleviate refractory myocardial failure due to scorpion sting.