Physalia pelagica
Natural History.
Physalia pelagica.
Portuguese man-of-was.
N. O. Physophoridae.
Clinical.
Urticaria.
Characteristics.
G. Bennett was stung by the animal on second and ring fingers.
The sensation was as if stung by a nettle, succeeded in a few minutes by violent aching, affecting the finger-joints and spreading up arm, involving elbow-joint.
The pain was worse by application of water, worse by motion, and worse when joints became affected.
The pain spread to the shoulder-joint and pectoral muscles causing oppression of breathing.
After half an hour the symptoms began to abate, leaving numbness of the limb and a vesicle at the spot which was stung.
Relations.
Compare: Medusa, Urt-u.