CONTENTS IX 



3. MEDICAL ASPECTS, 45. 



a. Water Supply and Sewage Disposal, 45. Possible adverse effects of 

 phytoplanktonic organisms. "Water bloom" in fresh water bodies. "Red tide," 

 "yellow tide," "red snow." Unpleasant odors of water due to phytoplankton. Origin 

 of bad odors and tastes. Mechanism of production. Chemical substances present. 

 Algal oils. Products of photosynthesis. Products of algal decomposition. Death of 

 fish and other aquatic organisms. Oxygenation. Measures to control algal growth. 

 Algal oxidation ponds for sewage treatment. Simplicity and efficiency of oxidation 

 ponds. Algal oxidation to convert nitrogenous wastes into food protein. Radio- 

 activity of phytoplankton in waters near atomic plants. Algae and mosquito control. 



b. Animal Intoxication, 48. Many reports of animal intoxication and 

 death due to toxic phytoplankton. Table summary of 38 incidents of animal intoxi- 

 cation reported. Confusion with effects of microorganisms, metallic and chemical 

 toxins, and poisonous land plants. Symptomatology varied. Predominance of neuro- 

 muscular and respiratory involvement. Photosensitivity. Jaundice. Weakness and 

 paralysis. Convulsions. Dyspnea. Negativity of autopsy studies. Experimental 

 studies. Effects of Microcystis extracts on nervous system, circulation, liver. Degrees 

 of intoxication. Parenchymatous, hydropic, fatty degeneration; necrosis. Studies on 

 toxins. Their chemical and physical natures. 



c. Human Intoxications, 53. Phytoplanktonic role. Clinical pictures: 

 dysenterial disorders, systemic allergies, local allergic eruptions. Table summary of 

 reported human reactions to phytoplankton. Epidemic intestinal disturbances in 

 U.S. National Parks and West Virginia. Symptomatology. Association with algal 

 bloom in water supply. Systemic allergy to Oscillatoraceae in Wisconsin Lake. 

 Positive skin reactions to Microcystis. Local allergic phenomena. Urticarial "sea- 

 bathers' eruption." Acute urticaria from "red tide" in Gulf of Mexico. Dermatitis 

 from phycocyanin pigment in Anabaena in Pennsylvania lake. Indirect role of 

 phytoplankton in human disease states. Prototheca and Blastocystis in tropical sprue. 

 Microscopic algae in mycotic skin lesions: actinomycosis, paracoccidiosis. Relation 

 of antibiotic "chlorellin." Antibiotic "phyceine." Antibacterial agents in Sti- 

 chococcus and Protosypbon. Algae in the diagnosis of death by drowning. Intoxi- 

 cations resulting from ingestion of certain fish. Summary of 58 documented episodes 

 of fish poisoning. Acute "paralytic" shellfish poisoning. Predominantly neurologic 

 manifestations. Epidemiology. Etiology. Relationship to ingestion of toxic Gon- 

 yaulax. Nature of toxin in Gonyaulax. Negativity of autopsy findings in acute 

 paralytic shellfish poisoning. Positive findings in chronically poisoned experimental 

 animals. Central nervous system changes. Renal damage. Other toxins from algae. 

 Inherent toxicity of puffer fish and some barracuda. Epidemics of fish poisoning 

 during World War II. Listing of poisonous fish. Clinical classification of ichthyo- 

 sarcotoxicosis. Tetraodon (puffer) poisoning. Nature of tetraodontoxin. Clinical 

 manifestations. Gymnothorax (moray eel) poisoning. Neurotoxic manifestations. 

 Ciguatera and its clinical picture. Scombroid poisoning. Histamine-like manifesta- 

 tions. "Haffkrankheit." Relation to contact with fish and plankton. Sympto- 

 matology. Pathological findings. Methods of treating fish poisoning. 



