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Box-jellyfish envenomation
Toxlcon Vol. 28, No . 3, pp. 387-593, 1990.
Printed in Great Britain.
Pergamon Prea
plc
REVIEWS
SOU7HON, 1. W. and BUCKINGHAM, J. Dictionary of Alkaloids, 1834 pp . in two volumes, ISBN 0 412 24910 3. London : Chapman and Hall (1989) . ALKAwiDs comprise a very large group of natural compounds belonging to various structural types. Everyone who is engaged in this field certainly will welcome the Dictionary of Alkaloids, a momentous work documenting approximately 10,000 compounds of plant, microbial, and animal origin . These are all alkaloids of known structure at the time of compilation . The first volume, after a short introduction and a chapter entitled "Descriptions of Main Alkaloid Types", contains data of all alkaloids, which are listed in alphabetical order on 1161 pages. Each entry contains name and synonyms, CAS registry number, structure showing stereochemistry, molecular formula, molecular weight, origin of the alkaloid as well as physical data. The bibliography must be mentioned specially. There are over 15,000 references altogether. For each reference the authors give some short information about the contents, e.g . isolation, structure elucidation, synthesis, and the spectra which are described . Information on pharmacological, toxicological and other biological effects are also given. The second volume, which contains five indexes on 620 pages, is of special value. With help of these indexes, relevant entries can be easily located. The Name Index contains all compound names in addition to trivial names and synonyms . Everyone who is engaged in isolation of natural products, will surely be pleased with the Molecular Formula Index. Thus, it is easy to determine whether an isolated compound is already known or new. The Species Index also is of great value. Here, all species names given throughout the dictionary can be found together with an accompanying list of alkaloids given in the dictionary as occurring in that species . Two further indexes are the CAS Registry Number Index and the Type of Compound Index. The location of all indexes in a separate volume is a good idea. Thus, the reader need not turn the leaves back and forth. The price of this dictionary is high indeed (£675 or US$1,295 in North America) but in consideration of the immense amount and very well presented information, it is appropriate. All data have been compiled carefully . This work is an excellent reference book, which should be present at least in every library, and in all laboratories of natural products chemistry. A 32-page sample of the dictionary is available on request to Chapman and Hall, while stocks last . H. CHR. KREes LoDm, R. S., PARKna, W. G. and LANGTON-JOY, D. Smoking and genus Notechis . Med. .1. Aust . 148,108 (1988) . LETTER to the Editor reporting a fatal bite by a tiger snake Notechis scutatus to a 62 year old woman with multiple sclerosis. She was bitten on the hand, and despite antivenom therapy, developed DIC, rhabdomyolysis, anuric renal failure, pulmonary oedema, and an ultimately fatal chest infection . Previous ill-health may have contributed to the unfortunate outcome. Paralysis, a common feature of tiger snake envenomation, was not noted .
HoRNE, T. W. Box-jellyfish envenomation . Med. J. Aust. 148, 540 (1988) . LErrER to the Editor reporting a non-fatal sting by a boxjellyfish, Chironex fleckeri, to the lower limbs of a 20 year old man. The key note of the report is the efficacy of CSL box-jellyfish antivenom in relieving the severe pain of the sting, and causing rapid regression of the skin lesions . J. Wr M 587
Printed in Great Britain.
Pergamon Prea
plc
REVIEWS
SOU7HON, 1. W. and BUCKINGHAM, J. Dictionary of Alkaloids, 1834 pp . in two volumes, ISBN 0 412 24910 3. London : Chapman and Hall (1989) . ALKAwiDs comprise a very large group of natural compounds belonging to various structural types. Everyone who is engaged in this field certainly will welcome the Dictionary of Alkaloids, a momentous work documenting approximately 10,000 compounds of plant, microbial, and animal origin . These are all alkaloids of known structure at the time of compilation . The first volume, after a short introduction and a chapter entitled "Descriptions of Main Alkaloid Types", contains data of all alkaloids, which are listed in alphabetical order on 1161 pages. Each entry contains name and synonyms, CAS registry number, structure showing stereochemistry, molecular formula, molecular weight, origin of the alkaloid as well as physical data. The bibliography must be mentioned specially. There are over 15,000 references altogether. For each reference the authors give some short information about the contents, e.g . isolation, structure elucidation, synthesis, and the spectra which are described . Information on pharmacological, toxicological and other biological effects are also given. The second volume, which contains five indexes on 620 pages, is of special value. With help of these indexes, relevant entries can be easily located. The Name Index contains all compound names in addition to trivial names and synonyms . Everyone who is engaged in isolation of natural products, will surely be pleased with the Molecular Formula Index. Thus, it is easy to determine whether an isolated compound is already known or new. The Species Index also is of great value. Here, all species names given throughout the dictionary can be found together with an accompanying list of alkaloids given in the dictionary as occurring in that species . Two further indexes are the CAS Registry Number Index and the Type of Compound Index. The location of all indexes in a separate volume is a good idea. Thus, the reader need not turn the leaves back and forth. The price of this dictionary is high indeed (£675 or US$1,295 in North America) but in consideration of the immense amount and very well presented information, it is appropriate. All data have been compiled carefully . This work is an excellent reference book, which should be present at least in every library, and in all laboratories of natural products chemistry. A 32-page sample of the dictionary is available on request to Chapman and Hall, while stocks last . H. CHR. KREes LoDm, R. S., PARKna, W. G. and LANGTON-JOY, D. Smoking and genus Notechis . Med. .1. Aust . 148,108 (1988) . LETTER to the Editor reporting a fatal bite by a tiger snake Notechis scutatus to a 62 year old woman with multiple sclerosis. She was bitten on the hand, and despite antivenom therapy, developed DIC, rhabdomyolysis, anuric renal failure, pulmonary oedema, and an ultimately fatal chest infection . Previous ill-health may have contributed to the unfortunate outcome. Paralysis, a common feature of tiger snake envenomation, was not noted .
HoRNE, T. W. Box-jellyfish envenomation . Med. J. Aust. 148, 540 (1988) . LErrER to the Editor reporting a non-fatal sting by a boxjellyfish, Chironex fleckeri, to the lower limbs of a 20 year old man. The key note of the report is the efficacy of CSL box-jellyfish antivenom in relieving the severe pain of the sting, and causing rapid regression of the skin lesions . J. Wr M 587