62 THE ROLE OF ALGAE AND PLANKTON IN MEDICINE 



krankheit was considered to be caused by arsines in sewage. However, 

 the correlation of outbreaks with climatic changes, and the predominantly 

 neurotoxic nature of the manifestations, suggests that this disease, like the 

 several other categories of fish poisoning, is dependent upon periodic 

 planktbnic intoxication. 



No method of testing suspected fish is known, other than feeding it to 

 animals (kittens have been a favorite). Neither does any specific antidote 

 exist. Treatment has consisted primarily of rapidly emptying the gastro- 

 intestinal tract by mechanical means, apomorphine, and laxatives. Adminis- 

 tration of charcoal as an adsorbent may be helpful. Also important are 

 supportive measures such as stimulants, parenteral fluids, oxygen, and 

 artificial respiration. Intubation and tracheotomy may be necessary with 

 respiratory distress. Anticonvulsants and opiates may have their indica- 

 tions, while some assign a special merit to intravenous calcium gluconate. 

 To us it would seem logical also to employ the adrenal steroids, either to 

 combat anaphylactoid reactions or to diminish end-organ response to toxins. 

 Anti-histamine agents, too, might play a part in treating the Scombroid 

 type of poisoning. Doubtless the wisest management of fish poisoning 

 consists of avoiding those fish with a known toxic potential; and, in the 

 case of shellfish, avoiding them when the Gonyaulax or other suspected 

 algae are flourishing. 



V. DISCUSSION 



After combing thousands of articles on algae 

 and plankton, we are in firm agreement with Conway Zirkle, 306 who 

 laments the fact that our age of specialization has produced a "splintered 

 learning." He points out that many important developments are hope- 

 lessly buried because of the compartmentalization of knowledge, the spe- 

 cialized jargons of the various sciences, and the overwhelming volume of 

 new publications. Because of a limited lateral diffusion of information, 

 many workers remain unaware of pertinent findings even in kindred fields. 

 This is especially true in the realm of medicine. With the tremendous 

 mass of studies that physicians must continually digest, their meager knowl- 

 edge of algae and plankton is readily understandable. The rare medical 



