COP EI A 83 



be certain on this point. The symptoms are slow to subside, 

 sometimes lasting for months. It starts from two to six days 

 after eating the fish, very seldom less than two, and usually 

 three or four. There is repeated pain of a dull resistant type 

 over the region of the pancreas ; constipation ; slow aching pains 

 in the joints, especially in the knees and back, without any 

 physical signs ; pain behind the eyes and headache, acute irri- 

 tation of the bladder with frequent burning and tickling sensa- 

 tion. 



' 'The joint pains are called "bone-pains" here, and are 

 similar to the pains of influenza, though more particularly asso- 

 ciated with the joints. There is an intense feeling of lassitude 

 and debility and subnormal temperature. 



' 'Naturally clinical cases vary in severity. Occasionally 

 the two forms of poisoning are combined, one following the other. 

 I look on the first as a simple irritative disturbance of the in- 

 testine which throws off the irritant in the usual way. The 

 second is a real poisoning of the system. I have had both my- 

 self, and it was many months before I was rid of the joint-pains 

 of the second.' 



"The Turk Island species described herein are also among 

 the principal food h'shes of Key West and the Bermudas, except- 

 ing the kingfish, which is seldom taken at Bermuda, and poi- 

 soning is unknown in these localities. 



"After observing the conditions and the manner in which 

 the fish are handled, I have reached the conclusion that the rea- 

 son they are poisonous, in one region and not in another, is that 

 in Bermuda and Key West almost all fishing boats have live- 

 wells, and therefore usually bring their fish to market alive, 

 while in the Turk Islands and Bahamas the fish are killed and 

 allowed to remain in the sun until the shore is reached — some- 

 times five or six hours after they are caught. 



"All of the fishes considered poisonous are of soft flesh and 

 rich in gastric juices, and are therefore the most likely to decay 

 quickly; and, when eaten in a partially decayed conditon, cause 

 ptomaine poisonincj. Naturally, some are more poisonous than 

 others. Those caught in the morning are exposed to the sun's 

 rays much longer, and are therefore much more decomposed. 



"The fishes, when examined externally and internally, ap- 

 peared to be in the finest condition when caught, and I could 

 detect no difference between them and those of Bermuda or 

 Key West. I have seen specimens of Grand Turk Island with 

 the scales standing almost on edge through the decomposing of 

 the flesh, which, forming gases, expanded the fish. These fish 

 are frequently sold from house to house, though caught the day 

 before and in a half putrid condition. It is probable that if, 



