BULLETIN OF TITE UNITED STATES FISTI COxMMLSSION. 151 



1m'. s:ii«l lli;it (lu-ir mm :i( lias iiol a \vi-y liin', llavoi', aiul is soinctimey 

 vc'iy indigestible; otlu'iwise it eaiiiiot be eousidered liiiiU'iil, and may 

 therefore be eaten with moderation. 



The ]\rurcena is sometimes nnwholesomc when it is very lar<>-c (more 

 tlian 5 or G pounds), but it cannot strictly be termed poisonous. 



In the Norwegian waters there are no poisonous fish, but it is well 

 known that the sting-bull may be dangerous if one happens to run the 

 pointed dorsal fin into the finger or any other part of the body. This 

 fish is found also in the Mediterranean and in some places in the trop- 

 ics ; and seems to intlict more dangerous wounds there than in more 

 northern waters, sometimes even causing death in a very short time. 

 It is said in Norway that wounds produced by the fin of this fish may be 

 cured by its liver ; the same result, however, would undoubtedly bo 

 obtained if the wound was treated like any other poisonous wound. 



There are several other kinds of fish which may cause dangerous or 

 painful wounds by the spines of their fins or gill-covers, such as some 

 of the varieties of the frog-fish, the sheat-fish, and the thorn-back. 



It seems as if in all of the above-mentioned fish which are poisonous 

 in themselves that it is the same kind of poison that produces this re- 

 sult in all of them ; at least if we consider the symptoms following the 

 eating of these fish, which are the same in all cases. They consist in 

 diarrhea, vomiting, violent pain in the stomach, colic, and an exceed- 

 ingly languid feeling, which may become as extreme as in cholera, and 

 is often accompanied by cramps, stiffness, chills, and extreme weakness, 

 leading to death. The symptoms, therefore, resemble those of the 

 cholera. But nothing definite is thus far known as to the kind of poi- 

 son which has this effect, why it has this effect, and what causes the 

 variations of this effect. 



This is certain, however, that there is every reason to exercise caution 

 in places where poisonous fish are found. At the Cape of Good Hope 

 every vessel which arrives is warned against poisonous fish. As regards 

 the treatment of cases of poisoning by fish, it should be the main ob- 

 ject to remove the poison from the stomach as quickly as possible by 

 using emetics; and when weakness sets in, to use ether and alcoholics 

 to keep up strength. Oi)iates may also be used in cases of pain in the 

 stomach and cramps. 



It would be very desirable if persons whose calling frequently takes 

 them to the tropics would aid in extending our knowledge of poi- 

 sonous fish by bringing home specimens put up in alcohol, or at any 

 rate by noting the distinguishing marks of such fish and the places 

 whore they are found, and by obtaining information on these points 

 from the natives. Information should also be sought regarding the 

 symptoms of poisoning, and especially as to the mode of treatment; for 

 it frequently happens that the natives of those countries where poi- 

 sonous animals are found know the most effective remedies, which are 

 entirely unknown in other places. 



