TOXIC HEUflNTHS 449 



Anemones (Zoaiuharia). — Their slings cause itching, hLiining and 

 skin eruptions. Those of the Mediterranean affecting the naked 

 sponge divers cause a febrile attack \\'\[h thiisi, pains in the back and 

 limbs, and a sk)Ughing uk^er k)cally. iMshermen use them for poison- 

 ing animals, which die in a few minutes. 

 The poisons are : — 



(i) Thalassin, causing redness, congestion, pruritis and 



sneezing. 

 (2) Congestion, more toxic, but somewhat antagonistic to the 

 above . 

 Apply pure fat immediatelv to the infected site. A la}'er of grease 

 over the skin is an efificient protection. 



Corals (Millapora). — These produce local pain and er^'thema, 

 followed by papules, ])usiules and descjuamation. They abound in 

 Malaya. 



Jelly Fishes (Traclninedusie). — Those of the Mediterranean cause 

 local redness, swelling and urticaria. Those of the Tropics are more 

 severe, with agonizing pains and collapse. 



Give stimidants internalh' and dilute ammonia locallv. 



TOXIC HELMINTHS. 



These, such as Dibothriocephalus latus, Tccnia saginata, TcTnia 

 ecchinococcus, Ascarides and Ankvlostomes are dealt A\ith in the 

 section " Diseases due to Helminths." 



VENOMOUS SCORPIONS AND SPIDERS, MITES AND TICKS. 



These belong to the Arachnida. 



Scorpions (Scorpionidic) abound in the 'J^'opics ; are much dreaded. 



The last abdominal segment carries a curved spine which in attack- 

 ing is brought forwards over the body, penetrating the victim's skin, 

 and thus making a wound into which the poison is injected. On either 

 side of the- spine is an opening through which the venom is discharged. 



The toxins of different species dififer in kind and degree, causing 

 from local redness, pain and swelling in Europe to severe pain, exten- 

 sive swelling, vomiting, fainting, muscular cramps and death in the 

 Tropics. 



Two hundred persons are said to die annually near Durango in 

 Mexico from scorpion stings. 



The mortality in children is 60 per cent. (Wilson). Death is rare 

 in adults because of the greater dilution of the poison. 



In Africa stings are common, but death is rare. 



