By: Manuel Ferdinand Ramirez de Erio

TRAGIC SUNDAY. Australian iconic TV naturalist Steve Irviwn who is best known for his television show "The Crocodile Hunter," died Sunday after being struck in the chest by a stingray barb. Irwin's death has caused some websites to shut down and internet suffers to clog in the cyber superhighway as they search for news regarding the crocodile hunter's death. Definitely the deadliest of Irwin's projects, it cost him his own life and the loss of a signature figure of naturalist and animal preservationists. The death has raised the call for safety among scuba enthusiasts. For a tourism province like Bohol , genuine hospitality, quality service and safety should be the signature in all its establishments. Dive shops proliferate in the resorts in Panglao and even in Cabilao and Anda towns. Today, Bohol does not only offer excellent beaches, quality service of its hotels and resorts, but most significantly a homegrown first aid wonder.

Bohol 's homegrown first aid

Bohol now offers a homegrown topical antibiotic called Duluz-T. It's original was Duluzine, in honor of Luz Tan Dulang the wife of the originator of this folkloric medicine and the owner and proprietor of the Gershon Pharmaceutic Laboratories, in Tanghaligue, Talibon, Bohol. Toto himself first discovered the healing effects of this medicine out the juice from the "bangkal" tree, lately identified as Nauclea orientalis Linn.,  by Prof. Josefa D. Villanueva, a Botanist from the Mindanao State University - Iligan Insitute of Technology, Iligan City. The concoction passed through several additives of different herbs and finally found a better formulation that was very effective against stings and bites of venomous insects and animals. Later it was also found to be effective against minor wounds, skin rashes, skin irritations, burns and superficial wounds and common infections and pollen irritations. The herb additives are kept secret for the company, but the formulation is very effective.  One thing sure, the discovery was tested for more than 10 years since it was first used and its efficacy is guaranteed. Recent clinical test performed by Boholano scientist biochemist/microbiologist and molecular biologist Dr. Jose M. Oclarit have proven that Duluz-T is effective for rashes, skin eruptions, itchiness suffered by beach goers and scuba divers, caused by jellyfish, sea sponge and even stingray poision. Today, Bohol does not only offer excellent beaches, quality service of its hotels and resorts, but most significantly a homegrown first aid wonder named Duluz-T.

What are stingrays?

Stingrays are aquatic, cartilaginous vertebrates who are members of the shark family. They have flat bodies and wing-like fins. Stingrays are nonassertive and can be found lying in the sand in shallow water at the beach or swimming free in open waters. Most are saltwater creatures, but a few live in fresh water. Stingrays do not actually attack. Injuries from these sharklike creatures are usually defensive actions. Once disturbed, their venomous stinger (spine) near the base of their tails lashes out and can cause punctures or lacerations (cuts). Their mouth parts do not cause injury, but a hickey can occur if they try to suck you. Most stingray injuries typically occur when a person accidentally steps on a ray as it lies on the shallow, sandy bottom of a beach area. Rays often cover themselves with sand for camouflage while resting or hiding from predators, so they can be hard to see. People who step on a stingray most frequently are injured on their feet and lower legs. Hands and arms can be injured if a person tries to touch or catch one. In rare cases, the stingray's powerful spine has penetrated a person's abdomen or chest causing severe injury. You can prevent injury by shuffling your feet while walking or wading through water to startle and shoo them away. Wearing footwear such as sneakers or dive booties may not help because the spine can penetrate them. There other simple ways to avoid stingray injuries. Remember not to try to chase or ride a stingray. If you have hooked one, cut the line and release it. A seemingly dead ray can whip its tail in defense and cause an injury. Certain rays, such as skates and manta rays, do not have a stinger at the base of their tails and are harmless. Some rays in marine parks are friendly because they have become used to humans, and you can touch them. These rays are more likely to give you a hickey from the suction action created by their mouths when trying to feed on your hands. Venom is only located in the tail spine. Because stingray injuries usually hurt so much, medical attention is definitely needed. Pain management, wound care, a tetanus vaccine update, and antibiotics are the most likely treatments. Always remember that when you're stung by stingrays, jelly fish, and even irritated by sea sponges, Bohol has a scientifically effective and clinically proven homegrown first aid treatment. We call it Duluz-T.

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