ABSTRACT
Garfish, which are found in the Indo-Pacific ocean areas, have a long spear-like beak with two narrow jaws and small pointed teeth. They often make sudden leaps while swimming, particularly when attracted by bright lights or when frightened by boats or by one of their predators, mainly in warm seasons. Serious injuries may be caused by a fish jumping and its beak piercing part of the body. The surface wound may appear deceptively small and innocent but if the wound is on the chest or abdomen the beak may have penetrated sufficiently deep to cause internal injuries and death may result. Patients may have to be admitted to the hospital for removal of the beak which may remain embedded in a limb.
Subject(s)
Bites and Stings/etiology , Eye Injuries/etiology , Fishes , Hand Injuries/etiology , Leg Injuries/etiology , Adult , Animals , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , New CaledoniaABSTRACT
Injuries by marine animals present diverse types and forms. The responsible sea-animals resort to many zoological species, vertebrates and invertebrates, ranging from fishes to sponges. The vulnerant processes are also various: the wound being or not associated with envenomation. Venoms are different, according to the species: some ones are only histotoxic and have a local effect around the wound, others are viscerotoxic, giving a generalized and sometimes fatal intoxication. New Caledonia is an archipelago situated in particularly warm waters, and therefore is a privileged area to observe marine animals injuries. These accidents are more frequent in number in Noumea area, but mainly concern newcomers. In other areas, the insular population much in contact with sea because the food it harvests from it, provides many victims. From personal cases and from those recorded in dispensaries and in G. Bourret Hospital of Noumea, the authors describe the main syndromes: --traumas by non venomous marine animals, --traumas by venomous marine animals: --bites --pricks: single or few - multiple and urticant. For each of these syndromes, the responsible animals, their vulnerant apparatus and their modes of action, their symptomatologies and their treatment are given with a practical view.
Subject(s)
Animal Population Groups , Bites and Stings/therapy , Marine Toxins/poisoning , Wounds and Injuries/etiology , Animals , Humans , New Caledonia , Wounds and Injuries/therapyABSTRACT
Authors review height cases of stings by venomous cones observed in New Caledonia. They describe the morphology of the venom apparatus of these attracting molluscs and emphasize the severity of the injuries. Prognosis is the worst in children, and Conus geographus is the most dangerous species of the genus Conus. There is no valuable treatment and prevention is the sole protection.
