THE STING OF THE JELLY FISH.
Another of the sources of annoyance to which swimmers are subject is the sting of a variety of the Acalephce called Medusa, and popularly known as " Sea-bladder," " Sea-blubber," " Starcher," and " Jelly Fish." This interesting specimen of marine animal life is to be seen in great numbers at our coasts in the summer time, between the months of July and September. In form they are convex, and when moving along in the water resemble at first sight the top part of a ball or floating mushroom, and seem like a piece of partially melted snow floating on the surface of the water. In its progress through the water the dome-shaped part is kept in advance, and the forward motion is attained by movements of contraction and delatation of the disc. If any portion of the creature is touched, the body is immediately contracted and the fish sinks out of sight.
Its diaphanous tissue, often decked in the purest tints, is sa fragile that when abandoned on the beach it melts and disappears.
De Blainville says—" These creatures, which are so soft that they probably could not repose on solid ground, require to agitate constantly in order to sustain themselves in the fluid which they inhabit." These movements got for them from the ancients the name of sea lungs, the motions resembling the action of respiration in the human chest. Fragile and weak as they look, they have a voracious appe tite, and feed on young shellfish, molluscs, and worms, swallowing their prey at one mouthful with out taking time to divide or masticate it. Should the victim resist, Mr. or Mrs. Medusa holds fast without making the slightest motion until the cap tive his grown tired with its efforts, when it is swallowed with as little show of ill-feeling as if it had all along been perfectly passive.
"Jelly Fish" vary in size from a few inches to three feet in diameter. In some instances they throw out a phosphorescent light after dark. Most of the species produce an acute pain where they touch any part of the human body. The feeling is similar to that experienced on coming in contact with the leaf of the nettle, hence they are named Acalephx, from the Greek word signifying nettle. Father Feuillee says of it, "The sea bladder occasions me on touching it a sudden and severe pain accompanied with convulsions." The liquid which fills part of the body is of such an acrid nature, as to irritate and blister the skin, even after it has been dried.
Fredol mentions the case of a young seaman, one of the crew of the Princess Louise, who jumped naked into the sea to seize a magnificent specimen of physcalia. The creature surrounded his person,
and the man overcome with a feeling of burning pain cried out for assistance, and on being taken on board, the pain and inflammation became so violent that brain fever set in, and fears were en tertained for his life.
Fishermen in different parts of our coast very often, when taking in their nets, have their hands much pained, and blistered, by coming in contact with particles of the jelly fish which had adhered to the cording, even after they had been broken up and apparently destroyed, by the handling of of the nets and the disturbance of the water.
We have seen the whole surface of bathers' bodies affected in the same way on bathing in the sea during or after a storm, when parts of the fish almost infinitesimal in size were floating about, after being broken up by the violence of the weather.
When the Medusa comes in contact with the swimmer's neck, chest, or shoulders, the sharp burning pain is invariably followed by retching, vomiting, and nausea, sometimes very severe. The part affected becomes red, sometimes swollen, and has the appearance as if a mustard poultice had been applied for some time; small postules with white points are also to be seen.
We know of one case in which a bather had been so severely stung that he was prevented from taking any exercise for some months, so keen was the attack, and so great the shock to the system. In this case the burning pain was very severe, great sickness and vomiting ensued, and the patient con tinued in a low state for several days.
Another remedy is to take a small dose of am monia slightly diluted with water, repeating every hour until the sickness has gone.
Fishermen on the west coast of Scotland apply a mixture of brandy, or whisky and tobacco or snuff to the part. This mixture deadens the pain and to some extent prevents the after consequences of sickness.
It has been found that almost any of the alkalies has the properties of counteracting to a great extent the evil effects of the poison. Therefore potass, soda, or ammonia applied to the part, or taken inwardly will afford relief.
On getting better, a gentle laxative will be found to be of great advantage.