362
FINDLAY E. RUSSELL
removed from a dorsal spine, a slender, elongated, fusiform strand of
greyish tissue is found lying within the distal one-half or two-thirds of
the glandular grooves on either side of the sting. The venom is contained
within these tissues. The venom glands are similar to those found in
Pterois, although more highly developed. It is not known how functional
the anal and pelvic spines are.
(b) Chemistry and toxicology. According to Saunders (1960) the
venom of Swrpaena guttata has similar pharmacological actions and
certain similar chemical properties to those of Pterois and Synanceja.
We have injected extracts from the tissues of the dorsal spines of
Scorpaena guttata and have found that they produce a fall in systemic
arterial pressure, an initial increase in systemic venous pressure
followed by a decrease, changes in respiration rate and depth, and
changes in the electrocardiogram and electroencephalogram. The
various changes are quite similar to those provoked by the venoms of
the stingray and weeverfish. From the standpoint of the physiopharmacological effects, it would appear that the venoms of Urolophus,
Trachinus, Swrpaenu, Pterois and Synunceja have much in common.
(c) Clinical problem. Stinging5 by Scorpaena are not uncommon
(Bottard, 1889 ; Pawlowsky, 1927 ; Hiyama, 1950 ; Halstead, 1951 ;
Mareti6, 1957, and Whitley, 1963). Elsewhere I have reported that
approximately 300 persons a year in the United States are stung by
IS. guttata or related species (Russell, 1961). During the period 1953-60
a total of 247 injuries from this species was reported to our Laboratory
by the Sportsfishing Association of Southern California, the California
Department of Fish and Game, and by various bait stand operators
on the public piers from Malibu south to Oceanside, California. From
these 247 poisonings we have collected 100 case histories. The following
description of " sculpin poisoning '' is based on these cases.
Approximately 80% of the stings were inflicted upon fishermen
while they were attempting to dislodge the fish from their hook, or
while removing the fish from their fishing bag. Most of the remaining
stings occurred in " bait boys ", whose task it is to clean fish aboard
sportsfishing boats, or in housewives who had not been adequately
forewarned of the danger of being stabbed by the dorsal spines of
this fish. Envenomation. on a finger is followed almost immediately
by intense, sometimes pulsating pain in the area of the injury. The
pain radiates so that within 3 to 10 min it may involve the entire
finger or hand. The area around the wound may appear ischemic;
bleeding does not seem to be affected. The finger becomes red and
FINDLAY E. RUSSELL
removed from a dorsal spine, a slender, elongated, fusiform strand of
greyish tissue is found lying within the distal one-half or two-thirds of
the glandular grooves on either side of the sting. The venom is contained
within these tissues. The venom glands are similar to those found in
Pterois, although more highly developed. It is not known how functional
the anal and pelvic spines are.
(b) Chemistry and toxicology. According to Saunders (1960) the
venom of Swrpaena guttata has similar pharmacological actions and
certain similar chemical properties to those of Pterois and Synanceja.
We have injected extracts from the tissues of the dorsal spines of
Scorpaena guttata and have found that they produce a fall in systemic
arterial pressure, an initial increase in systemic venous pressure
followed by a decrease, changes in respiration rate and depth, and
changes in the electrocardiogram and electroencephalogram. The
various changes are quite similar to those provoked by the venoms of
the stingray and weeverfish. From the standpoint of the physiopharmacological effects, it would appear that the venoms of Urolophus,
Trachinus, Swrpaenu, Pterois and Synunceja have much in common.
(c) Clinical problem. Stinging5 by Scorpaena are not uncommon
(Bottard, 1889 ; Pawlowsky, 1927 ; Hiyama, 1950 ; Halstead, 1951 ;
Mareti6, 1957, and Whitley, 1963). Elsewhere I have reported that
approximately 300 persons a year in the United States are stung by
IS. guttata or related species (Russell, 1961). During the period 1953-60
a total of 247 injuries from this species was reported to our Laboratory
by the Sportsfishing Association of Southern California, the California
Department of Fish and Game, and by various bait stand operators
on the public piers from Malibu south to Oceanside, California. From
these 247 poisonings we have collected 100 case histories. The following
description of " sculpin poisoning '' is based on these cases.
Approximately 80% of the stings were inflicted upon fishermen
while they were attempting to dislodge the fish from their hook, or
while removing the fish from their fishing bag. Most of the remaining
stings occurred in " bait boys ", whose task it is to clean fish aboard
sportsfishing boats, or in housewives who had not been adequately
forewarned of the danger of being stabbed by the dorsal spines of
this fish. Envenomation. on a finger is followed almost immediately
by intense, sometimes pulsating pain in the area of the injury. The
pain radiates so that within 3 to 10 min it may involve the entire
finger or hand. The area around the wound may appear ischemic;
bleeding does not seem to be affected. The finger becomes red and