282
FINDLAY E. RUSSELL
contact appear as separate swollen wheals, sometimes purple, which
may disappear in a few hours or may proceed to vesiculation and
necrosis. The lesions usually heal by granulation and cicatrization.
Localized edema is not uncommon. I n addition, pain and difficulty in
respiration, severe spasms of the abdomen and back, profuse lacrimation and nasal and bronchial secretions are sometimes reported.
Vertigo, mental confusion, increased pulse rate and dilatation of the
pupils may be reported. A number of fatalities have occurred following stingings by Scyphozoa, several within a matter of minutes.
Hyperpigmentation and cheloid formation have been reported in a
number of cases.
Initial treatment consists of the application of alcohol to the injured
area. If this is not available, dry sand or flour should be sprinkled on
the lesions and after 30 sec scraped off with a knife. Under no circumstances should the affected area be rubbed with wet sand or fresh water.
Application of a topical analgesic-cortisone lotion is advised, and in
severe pain the use of codeine or meperidine may be indicated.
According to J. H. Barnes (personal communication, 1965) the three
most troublesome Cnidaria on the Australian coastline are the Irukandji
carybdeid and the chirodropids Chironex Jleckeri and Chiropsalmus
quudrigatus. The Irukandji stinger causes only minor local effects,
which, however, are followed some time later by backache, weakness,
headache, painful spasms in the abdomen, thighs and chest, some
dyspnea, increased perspiration, dryness of the mouth, and vomiting.
The illness is non-fatal and responds well to intravenous pethidine.
Stingings by the larger chirodropid C. jleckeri are usually more serious
than those inflicted by C. quadrigatus. However, stings by both animals
are painful, and give rise to whealing with a fringing flare of erythema.
Edema is usually present, especially following envenomation by C .
Jleckeri. The injured skin is often discolored, at first brownish but
later purple. The discoloration may persist for years, the affected area
giving rise to intermittent itching. Exudation beneath the seared
lines of tentacle contact raises bullae 5 mm or more in height. Necrosis
deep into the subcutaneous tissues is not unusual, and is slow to heal.
Permanent cicatricial scarring may result.
Barnes states that in severe stingings the pain is instantaneous and
extremely severe. Collapse, if it occurs, may be sudden or preceded by
violent twitching. Death may occur within minutes, and would appear
to be due to cardiac arrest of either myocardial or central origin. More
than fifty fatalities due to marine stings have been recorded for the
Australian coastline, all from tropical waters and all during the warmer
months of the year.
FINDLAY E. RUSSELL
contact appear as separate swollen wheals, sometimes purple, which
may disappear in a few hours or may proceed to vesiculation and
necrosis. The lesions usually heal by granulation and cicatrization.
Localized edema is not uncommon. I n addition, pain and difficulty in
respiration, severe spasms of the abdomen and back, profuse lacrimation and nasal and bronchial secretions are sometimes reported.
Vertigo, mental confusion, increased pulse rate and dilatation of the
pupils may be reported. A number of fatalities have occurred following stingings by Scyphozoa, several within a matter of minutes.
Hyperpigmentation and cheloid formation have been reported in a
number of cases.
Initial treatment consists of the application of alcohol to the injured
area. If this is not available, dry sand or flour should be sprinkled on
the lesions and after 30 sec scraped off with a knife. Under no circumstances should the affected area be rubbed with wet sand or fresh water.
Application of a topical analgesic-cortisone lotion is advised, and in
severe pain the use of codeine or meperidine may be indicated.
According to J. H. Barnes (personal communication, 1965) the three
most troublesome Cnidaria on the Australian coastline are the Irukandji
carybdeid and the chirodropids Chironex Jleckeri and Chiropsalmus
quudrigatus. The Irukandji stinger causes only minor local effects,
which, however, are followed some time later by backache, weakness,
headache, painful spasms in the abdomen, thighs and chest, some
dyspnea, increased perspiration, dryness of the mouth, and vomiting.
The illness is non-fatal and responds well to intravenous pethidine.
Stingings by the larger chirodropid C. jleckeri are usually more serious
than those inflicted by C. quadrigatus. However, stings by both animals
are painful, and give rise to whealing with a fringing flare of erythema.
Edema is usually present, especially following envenomation by C .
Jleckeri. The injured skin is often discolored, at first brownish but
later purple. The discoloration may persist for years, the affected area
giving rise to intermittent itching. Exudation beneath the seared
lines of tentacle contact raises bullae 5 mm or more in height. Necrosis
deep into the subcutaneous tissues is not unusual, and is slow to heal.
Permanent cicatricial scarring may result.
Barnes states that in severe stingings the pain is instantaneous and
extremely severe. Collapse, if it occurs, may be sudden or preceded by
violent twitching. Death may occur within minutes, and would appear
to be due to cardiac arrest of either myocardial or central origin. More
than fifty fatalities due to marine stings have been recorded for the
Australian coastline, all from tropical waters and all during the warmer
months of the year.