M.D. Thesis, University of London       THE GLOBAL PROBLEM OF CNIDARIAN (JELLYFISH) STINGING       Dr. Peter J. Fenner     M.D. Thesis, University of London.     Index     2. Introduction       2.1 The start of research into jellyfish stings   2.2 The problem of world jellyfish stings   2.3 The need for further research   2.4 Aims of research     3. History of jellyfish envenomation   3.1 Biological considerations   3.1.1. Class Cubozoa - cubozoan jellyfish   3.1.2 Non-cubozoan jellyfish   3.2 Medical considerations   3.2.1 Australia   3.2.2 Indo-Pacific   3.3 The present state of knowledge   3.3.1 Method of envenomation   3.3.2 Factors influencing envenomation   3.3.3 Speed of envenomation   3.3.4 Assessment of tentacle contact     4. Methods   4.1 Collection of specimens   4.2 Serology investigations   4.3 Identification of the specimens   4.4 Examination of museum specimens   4.5 Experiments with inhibition of nematocysts   4.6 Observations of conditions for human jellyfish stings   4.7 Clinical observations of envenomed victims   4.8 Developing policies for first aid   4.9 Personal travel and research   4.10 The data base and its sources     5. Results 5.1 Taxonomy   5.1.1 Carybdeid taxonomy   5.1.2 Chirodropid taxonomy   5.1.3 Physalia morphology     5.2 Nematocyst Inhibition     5.3.1 Hong Kong 1991 and 1993   5.3.2 Okinawa, Japan   5.3.3 Singapore   5.3.4 Philippines   5.3.5 Indonesia September 1993   5.3.6 Malaysia 1989   5.3.7 Sri Lanka September 1995     5.4 Serology - identification of stings     5.5 Jellyfish databases   5.5.1 Methods of collection of information to 30 June 1995   5.5.2 Methods of collection of information since 1 July 1995   5.5.3 Data collected from Australia     5.6 Australian jellyfish - epidemiology of envenomation   5.6.1 Chironex fleckeri   5.6.2 Carukia barnesi -the Irukandji   5.6.3 Morbakka   5.6.4 Carybdea rastoni - the Jimble   5.6.5 Carybdea sivickisi   5.6.6 Physalia physalis - the Pacific man-o'-war   5.6.7 Other Australian jellyfish     5.7 Rest of the world jellyfish - epidemiology of envenomation   5.7.1 The Eastern Pacific   5.7.2 The North Western Pacific - Far-east Asia   5.7.3 West Pacific   5.7.4 The Bay of Bengal (Eastern Indian Ocean)   5.7.5 Western Indian Ocean and The Arabian Sea   5.7.6 South East Atlantic   5.7.7 South West Atlantic   5.7.8 North West Atlantic   5.7.9 North east Atlantic     5.8 First aid and Medical treatments   5.8.1 Educational policy: prevention of jellyfish envenomation   5.8.2 Chironex antivenom   5.8.3 Current first aid treatments of jellyfish envenomation   5.8.4 Current medical treatment of jellyfish envenomation     6. Conclusion   6.1 Jellyfish distribution and sting occurrence   6.2 Taxonomy   6.3 Reduction of morbidity and mortality     Summary     References     APPENDIX A   Glossary of medical biological terms     APPENDIX B   International Consortium of Jellyfish Stings - References   Burnett JW     APPENDIX C   Jellyfish specimens caught and examined by the author     Appendix D   Report forms     APPENDIX E   Hospital / ambulance reports     APPENDIX F   World distribution of jellyfish     APPENDIX G   Lectures/videos - Dr Peter J Fenner