There was
emphysema of the face, neck, and chest. The fish could be easily
felt impacted in the tissues, but, after swallowing much water
and vinegar, together with other efforts at extraction, the fins
were loosened--about twenty-four hours after the accident. By
this time the emphysema had extended to the scrotum. There was
much expectoration of muco-purulent fluid, and on the third day
complete aphonia, but the symptoms gradually disappeared, and
recovery was complete in eight days. Dantra is accredited with
describing asphyxiation, accompanied by great agony, in a man
who, while swimming, had partially swallowed a live fish. The
fish was about three inches in length and one in breadth, and was
found lying on the dorsum of his tongue and, together with
numerous clots of blood, filled his mouth. Futile attempts to
extract the fish by forceps were made. Examination showed that
the fish had firmly grasped the patient's uvula, which it was
induced to relinquish when its head was seized by the forceps and
pressed from side to side. After this it was easily extracted and
lived for some time. There was little hemorrhage after the
removal of the offending object, and the blood had evidently come
from the injuries to the sides of the mouth, caused by the fins.
Pages:
1118
1119
1120
1121
1122
1123
1124
1125
1126
1127
1128
1129
1130
1131
1132
1133
1134
1135
1136
1137
1138
1139
1140
1141
1142