36 DANGEROUS MARINE ANIMALS 



pora) , are primarily local skin irritations. Physalia stings may be 

 very painful. Sea anemones and true corals produce a similar re- 

 action, but may be accompanied by general symptoms. Ulcerations 

 of the skin may be quite severe in lesions produced by Sagartia in 

 the sponge fishermen's disease. Symptoms resulting from scypho- 

 zoans vary greatly. The sting of most scyphozoans is too mild to 

 be noticeable, whereas Cyanea, Dactylometra, and Chiropsahnas 

 are capable of inflicting very painful local and generalized symp- 

 toms. Chiropsalmus is probably the most venomous marine or- 

 ganism known, and may produce death within 3 to 8 minutes in 

 humans. 



Symptoms most commonly encountered vary from an immediate 

 mild prickly, or stinging sensation like that of a nettle sting, to a 

 burning, throbbing or shooting pain which may render the victim 

 unconscious. In some cases, the pain is restricted to an area within 

 the immediate vicinity of the contact, or it may radiate to the 

 groin, abdomen, or armpit. The area coming in contact with the 

 tentacles usually becomes reddened, followed by a severe inflamma- 

 tory rash, blistering, swelling and minute skin hemorrhages. In 

 severe cases, in addition to shock, there may be muscular cramps, 

 abdominal rigidity, diminished touch and temperature sensation, 

 nausea, vomiting, severe backache, loss of speech, frothing at the 

 mouth, sensation of constriction of the throat, respiratory diffi- 

 culty, paralysis, delirium, convulsions, and death. 



Treatment. Treatment must be directed toward accomplishing 

 three objectives: relieving pain, alleviating effects of the poison, 

 and controlling primary shock. Morphine is effective in relieving 

 pain. Intravenous injections of calcium gluconate have been recom- 

 mended for the control of muscular spasms. Oral histaminics and 

 topical cream are useful in treating the rash. Dilute ammonium 

 hydroxide, sodium bicarbonate, olive oil, sugar, ethyl alcohol and 

 other types of soothing lotions have been used with varying de- 

 grees of success. Artificial respiration, cardiac and respiratory 

 stimulants, and other forms of supportive measures may be re- 

 quired. There are no known specific antidotes. 



Prevention. It should be kept in mind that the tentacles of some 

 species of jellyfish may trail a great distance from the body of the 

 animal — as much as 50 feet or more, in some instances. Conse- 

 quently, jellyfish should be given a wide berth. Tight-fitting woolen 

 underwear or rubber skin diving suits are useful in affording pro- 

 tection from attacks from these creatures. Jellyfish washed up on 



