[Injuries by marine animals in New Caledonia and dependencies (author's transl)]

Injuries by marine animals present diverse types and forms. The responsible sea-animals resort to many zoological species, vertebrates and invertebrates, ranging from fishes to sponges. The vulnerant processes are also various: the wound being or not associated with envenomation. Venoms are different, according to the species: some ones are only histotoxic and have a local effect around the wound, others are viscerotoxic, giving a generalized and sometimes fatal intoxication. New Caledonia is an archipelago situated in particularly warm waters, and therefore is a privileged area to observe marine animals injuries. These accidents are more frequent in number in Noumea area, but mainly concern newcomers. In other areas, the insular population much in contact with sea because the food it harvests from it, provides many victims. From personal cases and from those recorded in dispensaries and in G. Bourret Hospital of Noumea, the authors describe the main syndromes: --traumas by non venomous marine animals, --traumas by venomous marine animals: --bites --pricks: single or few - multiple and urticant. For each of these syndromes, the responsible animals, their vulnerant apparatus and their modes of action, their symptomatologies and their treatment are given with a practical view.