MARINE ANIMALS THAT ARE POISONOUS TO EAT 127 



tingling, burning, "dry ice or electric shock" sensation, or hot ob- 

 jects may give a feeling of cold. Difficulty in walking and gener- 

 alized muscular incoordination may become progressively worse. 

 Muscular paralysis, convulsions and death may ensue. The mor- 

 tality rate in this type of fish poisoning is relatively low, about 7 

 percent of the persons poisoned die. In those instances in which 

 the victim survives, recovery is extremely slow if the person has 

 been severely poisoned. Complete recovery may require many 

 months, and even years. 



Treatment of Fish Poisoning. With the exception of scombroid 

 poisoning in which the patient should be administered antihist- 

 amine drugs, there is no specific treatment. However, a few general 

 procedures have been of value in many instances. 



The stomach should be emptied at the earliest possible moment. 

 Warm salt water, or egg white, will be found effective. If these 

 ingredients are not available, stick a finger down the throat. 

 A cathartic should be administered. In many instances, 10 percent 

 calcium gluconate given intravenously has given prompt relief 

 from some of the nervous symptoms, whereas in others, it has not. 

 Paraldehyde and ether inhalations have been reported to be effec- 

 tive in controlling the convulsions. Nikethamide, or one of the 

 other respiratory stimulants is advisable in cases of respiratory 

 depression. In patients where excessive production of mucus is 

 present, aspiration and constant turning are essential. Atropine has 

 been found to make the mucus more viscid and difficult to aspirate 

 and is not recommended. If laryngeal spasm is present, intubation 

 and tracheotomy may be necessary. Oxygen inhalation and intra- 

 venous administration of fluids supplemented with vitamins given 

 parenterally are usually beneficial. If the pain is severe, opiates 

 will be required. Morphine is the drug of choice when given in small, 

 divided doses. Cool showers have been found to be effective in re- 

 lieving the severe itching. It should be kept in mind that in rare 

 instances scombroid poisoning may be combined with other types 

 of fish poisoning. Fluids given to patients suffering from disturb- 

 ances of temperature sensation should be slightly warm, or at room 

 temperature. Vitamin B complex supplements are advisable. 



Prevention. One cannot detect a poisonous fish by its appearance. 

 Moreover, there is no known simple chemical test to detect the 

 poison. The most reliable methods involve the preparation of tissue 

 extracts which are injected intraperitoneally into mice, or feeding 



Fig. 80. Top to bottom: Snapper, Aprion virescens Valenciennes. (From 

 Hiyama) Snapper, Gnathodentex aureolineatus (Lacepede). (From Hiyama) 

 Snapper, Lethrinus miniatus (Forster). (From Hiyama) Snapper, Lutjanus 



bohar (Forskal). (From Hiyama) 



