80 DANGEROUS MARINE ANIMALS 



nels extending the entire length of the shaft. Situated within these 

 grooves are the venom glands. The glands are enveloped by a thin 

 covering of skin — the integumentary sheath. 



Scorpionfish Type. The scorpionfish, or Scorpaena type, have a 

 variable number of dorsal spines, frequently 12, 3 anal and 2 pelvic 

 spines, and their associated venom glands. The spines are shorter 

 and heavier than those found in Pterois. The glandular grooves 

 are restricted to about the distal two-thirds of the spine. The 

 venom glands lie along the glandular grooves, but are limited to 

 about the distal half of the spine. The enveloping integumentary 

 sheath is moderately thick. 



Stonefish Type. The stonefish, or Synanceja type, usually have 

 13 dorsal spines, 3 anal spines, 2 pelvic spines, and their asso- 

 ciated venom glands. The venom organs of this fish differ from 

 all of the others by the short, heavy spines and greatly enlarged 

 venom glands, which are covered by a very thick layer of warty 

 skin. This fish is particularly dangerous because of its camouflaged 

 appearance — frequently resembling a large clump of mud or debris. 

 The stings of this latter group are difficult to detect, because they 

 are almost completely hidden. 



Medical Aspects. The symptoms produced by the various species 

 of scorpionfishes are essentially the same, varying in degree, rather 

 than in quality. The pain is usually described as immediate, in- 

 tense, sharp, shooting or throbbing, and radiates from the affected 

 part. The area about the wound becomes ischemic, and then 

 cyanotic. The pain produced by most scorpionfishes generally con- 

 tinues for only a few hours, but wounds produced by Synanceja 

 may be extremely painful and may continue for a number of days. 

 Pain caused by Synanceja is sometimes so severe as to cause the 

 victim to thrash wildly about, to scream, and finally, to lose con- 

 sciousness. The area in the immediate vicinity of the wound grad- 

 ually becomes cyanotic, surrounded by a zone of redness, swelling, 

 and heat. Subsequent sloughing of the tissues about the wound 

 site may occur. In the case of Synanceja stings, the wound becomes 

 numb and the skin, some distance from the site of injury becomes 

 painful to touch. In some instances, complete paralysis of the limb 

 may ensue. Swelling of the entire member that is affected may 

 take place, frequently to such an extent that movement of the part 

 is impaired. Other symptoms which may be present are : cardiac 

 failure, delirium, convulsions, various nervous disturbances, nausea, 

 vomiting, lymphangitis, swelling of the lymph nodes, joint aches, 



