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FINDLAY E. RUSSELL
sufficient venom to kill 250, 17 g mice. In studies upon mice with
nineteen batches of weever toxin he found the average venom content
to vary from 6-1066 LD,,, per weever, or from 640-2560 LD,,, per ml
venom. He also found that it is possible to quantitate the venom on
tissue cultures, and by studies on skin reactions in guinea pigs.
Haavaldsen and Fonnum (1963) separated three protein fractions
by electrophoresis from the venom of T. draco. On a paper chromatogram they obtained two spots, one of which was identified as histamine
and the other as a catecholamine. Photofluorimetric studies revealed
the presence of adrenaline and noradrenaline in high concentrations.
The toxin also showed considerable cholinesterase activity ; it did
not contain 5-hydroxytryptamine, lecithinase or phosphodiesterase.
3. Clinical problem
Injuries inflicted by weeverfishes are not uncommon (see references,
Russell and Emery, 1960). Stings by the lesser weever usually occur
when the unfortunate bather treads upon the dorsal spines of ope of
these fish while wading on sandy grounds, or when a fisherman mishandles the fish while dislodging it from a net. Occasionally these
fish become entangled in seaweed during trawling operations and are
taken aboard unknowingly. The lesser weever often buries itself in
the sandy or muddy ocean bottom and may remain there motionless
with only its erect dorsal spines projecting above its camouflage. When
the fish is stepped upon, the integumentary sheath surrounding the
venom-containing tissues of the spine is torn and the venom escapes
into the victim’s tissues. In an interesting case history reported by
Halstead (1957), a lesser weever was said to have aggressively attacked
a skin diver, driving its dorsal fins into the victim’s right jaw. Most
stingings by these fish, however, are inflicted on the hands or forearms
of the shrimp fishermen of the North Sea.
The greater weever may on occasion bury itself in the sand. However, as it does not customarily invade very shallow waters it is not
usuhlly implicated in stingings to bathers. Most injuries inflicted by
T. dvaco are incurred by fishermen removing it from their nets or set
lines. According to Evans (1943) the greater weever may employ its
venomous spines as offensive weapons, ( ( attacking any object approaching it with the precision of a fighting cock.”
A weeverfish may inflict either a single or multiple puncture-type
wound. Persons stung by these fishes report having received a sharp,
immediately painful stab. The pain is described as intense or excruciating ; it increases in severity during the first 20 to 50 min following
the injury and may persist for 16 to 24 h if treatment is not undertaken.
FINDLAY E. RUSSELL
sufficient venom to kill 250, 17 g mice. In studies upon mice with
nineteen batches of weever toxin he found the average venom content
to vary from 6-1066 LD,,, per weever, or from 640-2560 LD,,, per ml
venom. He also found that it is possible to quantitate the venom on
tissue cultures, and by studies on skin reactions in guinea pigs.
Haavaldsen and Fonnum (1963) separated three protein fractions
by electrophoresis from the venom of T. draco. On a paper chromatogram they obtained two spots, one of which was identified as histamine
and the other as a catecholamine. Photofluorimetric studies revealed
the presence of adrenaline and noradrenaline in high concentrations.
The toxin also showed considerable cholinesterase activity ; it did
not contain 5-hydroxytryptamine, lecithinase or phosphodiesterase.
3. Clinical problem
Injuries inflicted by weeverfishes are not uncommon (see references,
Russell and Emery, 1960). Stings by the lesser weever usually occur
when the unfortunate bather treads upon the dorsal spines of ope of
these fish while wading on sandy grounds, or when a fisherman mishandles the fish while dislodging it from a net. Occasionally these
fish become entangled in seaweed during trawling operations and are
taken aboard unknowingly. The lesser weever often buries itself in
the sandy or muddy ocean bottom and may remain there motionless
with only its erect dorsal spines projecting above its camouflage. When
the fish is stepped upon, the integumentary sheath surrounding the
venom-containing tissues of the spine is torn and the venom escapes
into the victim’s tissues. In an interesting case history reported by
Halstead (1957), a lesser weever was said to have aggressively attacked
a skin diver, driving its dorsal fins into the victim’s right jaw. Most
stingings by these fish, however, are inflicted on the hands or forearms
of the shrimp fishermen of the North Sea.
The greater weever may on occasion bury itself in the sand. However, as it does not customarily invade very shallow waters it is not
usuhlly implicated in stingings to bathers. Most injuries inflicted by
T. dvaco are incurred by fishermen removing it from their nets or set
lines. According to Evans (1943) the greater weever may employ its
venomous spines as offensive weapons, ( ( attacking any object approaching it with the precision of a fighting cock.”
A weeverfish may inflict either a single or multiple puncture-type
wound. Persons stung by these fishes report having received a sharp,
immediately painful stab. The pain is described as intense or excruciating ; it increases in severity during the first 20 to 50 min following
the injury and may persist for 16 to 24 h if treatment is not undertaken.