302
FINDLAY E. RUSSELL
but as yet undescribed, polypeptide in the other cephalopod toxins.
It would appear that eledoisin plays some part in protein synthesis, and
it is quite possible that its role in the salivary gland is limited for the
most part to this activity.
E. Clinical problem
1. Gastropoda
The following cones have been implicated in injuries to man:
Conus geographus, C. tulipa, C . catus, C . striatus, C . obscurus, C . textilis,
C . imperialis, C . aulicus, C . marmoreus, C . pulicarius, C . quercinus,
C . litteratus, C . lividus, C . sponsalis and C . omaria. The first five appear
to be the most dangerous, although C. textilis cannot be discounted
(Kohn, 1963).
The sting gives rise to immediate, sometimes intense, localized
pain at the site of the injury. Within 5 min the victim usually notes
some numbness and ischemia about the wound, although in a case seen
by the author the affected area was red and tender rather than ischemic.
A tingling or numbing sensation may develop about the mouth, lips
and tongue, and over the peripheral parts of the extremities. Other
symptoms and signs may develop during the first 30 min following
the injury. These include : hypertonicity, tremor, muscle fasciculations, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, increased lacrimation and salivation, weakness, and pain in the chest which increases with deep inspiration. The numbness about the wound may spread to involve a
good part of the extremity or injured portion. In the more severe cases,
respiratory distress with chest pain, difficulties in swallowing and
phonation, marked dizziness, blurring of vision and an inability to focus,
ataxia, and generalized pruritus have been reported. In fatal cases
" respiratory paralysis '' precedes death.
2. Cephalopoda
Bites by octopods are very rare, and their effects are usually
limited to localized signs and symptoms. Halstead (1949), Berry and
Halstead (1954), and Flecker and Cotton (1955) have recorded several
interesting cases and the reader is directed to their works for a more
descriptive account of poisonings in man.
The bite of the octopus results in two small puncture wounds;
they appear to bleed more freely than one would expect from a similar
non-envenomized traumatic wound. Pain is minimal, and in the two
cases seen by the author it was described as no greater than that which
would have been produced by a sharp pin. Tingling or numbness
about the wound site are not uncommon complaints. Swelling is
FINDLAY E. RUSSELL
but as yet undescribed, polypeptide in the other cephalopod toxins.
It would appear that eledoisin plays some part in protein synthesis, and
it is quite possible that its role in the salivary gland is limited for the
most part to this activity.
E. Clinical problem
1. Gastropoda
The following cones have been implicated in injuries to man:
Conus geographus, C. tulipa, C . catus, C . striatus, C . obscurus, C . textilis,
C . imperialis, C . aulicus, C . marmoreus, C . pulicarius, C . quercinus,
C . litteratus, C . lividus, C . sponsalis and C . omaria. The first five appear
to be the most dangerous, although C. textilis cannot be discounted
(Kohn, 1963).
The sting gives rise to immediate, sometimes intense, localized
pain at the site of the injury. Within 5 min the victim usually notes
some numbness and ischemia about the wound, although in a case seen
by the author the affected area was red and tender rather than ischemic.
A tingling or numbing sensation may develop about the mouth, lips
and tongue, and over the peripheral parts of the extremities. Other
symptoms and signs may develop during the first 30 min following
the injury. These include : hypertonicity, tremor, muscle fasciculations, nausea and vomiting, dizziness, increased lacrimation and salivation, weakness, and pain in the chest which increases with deep inspiration. The numbness about the wound may spread to involve a
good part of the extremity or injured portion. In the more severe cases,
respiratory distress with chest pain, difficulties in swallowing and
phonation, marked dizziness, blurring of vision and an inability to focus,
ataxia, and generalized pruritus have been reported. In fatal cases
" respiratory paralysis '' precedes death.
2. Cephalopoda
Bites by octopods are very rare, and their effects are usually
limited to localized signs and symptoms. Halstead (1949), Berry and
Halstead (1954), and Flecker and Cotton (1955) have recorded several
interesting cases and the reader is directed to their works for a more
descriptive account of poisonings in man.
The bite of the octopus results in two small puncture wounds;
they appear to bleed more freely than one would expect from a similar
non-envenomized traumatic wound. Pain is minimal, and in the two
cases seen by the author it was described as no greater than that which
would have been produced by a sharp pin. Tingling or numbness
about the wound site are not uncommon complaints. Swelling is