272 VENOMS 



A good description of the disease has been given by Dr. 

 Skevos Zervos, of Athens.' It is observed exclusively in men 

 who dive quite naked, without a diving-dress. Now, beside the 

 bases of the sponges and sometimes on their surface there Hve 

 numbers of anemones which secrete a viscid substance, which is 

 extremely virulent, especially in the month of August. 



The first symptoms that supervene after contact with these 

 CoBlenterates are an intense itching and burning sensation ; a papule 

 of a horny consistency appears at the outset at the spot at which 

 contact took place ; this is soon surrounded by a red zone, which 

 becomes bluish and then black, and spreads to a greater or lesser 

 extent, according to the region attacked and the virulence of the 

 venom. After a few days the skin sloughs and leaves a deep ulcer, 

 which suppurates in spite of antiseptic treatment. The onset of 

 the disease is marked by a febrile attack with shivering, which is 

 soon accompanied by cephalalgia, thirst, and pains in the back and 

 limbs. 



Zervos reproduced these disorders experimentally by rubbing an 

 anemone, held with forceps, on the shaven abdomen of a dog. In 

 a few minutes the region affected became quite red and prurigi- 

 nous ; twenty-five minutes later phlyctenas full of serum appeared ; 

 three days afterwards five abscesses of different sizes developed, 

 while at the place where it had been touched by the venom the 

 skin assumed a deep blue colour ; on the fifth day an area 2 cm. 

 in diameter was completely gangrenous. 



When ingested, anemones possess toxic properties which are 

 well known to the sponge-fishers, for they frequently make use of 

 them for the purpose of poisoning domestic animals. With this 

 object they cut them up into small fragments, and mix them with 

 bread or meat, which is given to the animals to eat ; the latter die 

 in convulsions in a few minutes. 



In order to preserve the divers from the harmful effects produced 



' Semaine medicale, June 24, 1903. 



