The diagnostics and treatment of tropical diseasesStitt, E. R. (Edward Rhodes)
Science
The diagnostics and treatment of tropical diseases
Stitt, E. R. (Edward Rhodes)
Tropical medicine
_Indian Type._—In the relapsing fever of Asia there is a marked
tendency for the patient to collapse at the time of the crisis.
There are rarely more than two relapses and in probably 25% of
cases there is no relapse. There seems to be a greater tendency
to liver complications in the Asian types than elsewhere and such
cases form a large part of the death rate from this disease.
Bilious vomiting and jaundice, with a typhoid-like state and the
occurrence of various inflammatory complications, especially
parotiditis, are noted. The mind is usually clear, but delirium may
be present in severe cases.
_Relapsing Fever of Panama._—In three experimental cases the
temperature of the first accession varied from 102°F. to 104.5°F.
Frontal headache and general body aches were the chief symptoms.
Vomiting was noted in one case. The spleen was not enlarged. The
first relapse was cut short in each case by arsphenamine.
The Symptoms in Detail
_The Temperature Curve._—This is the chief point in the clinical
diagnosis of relapsing fever. The onset of the first febrile
accession is abrupt and the temperature rapidly rises to 104°F.
or higher. After a continued high temperature for three or four
days the fever drops by crisis, which is at times productive of
collapse. Following an apyrexial period of four to eight days we
have a second febrile accession, and there may be several of these
wave-like alternations of fever and apyrexia.
_The Nervous System._—Very marked frontal headache is a striking
feature and the pains in back and limbs may be of great severity.
Cranial nerve involvement has been noted. There may be apathy, but
on the whole the mind is clear.
_The Digestive System._—Anorexia and vomiting are features of the
febrile periods to cease in the fever-free periods. In some types
bilious vomiting may be marked.
_The Circulatory and the Respiratory System._—The pulse rate is
much accelerated, and there may be some praecordial distress.
A bronchial catarrh is frequently present in the first febrile
paroxysm.
_The Liver and Spleen._—Splenic tenderness and moderate
enlargement are fairly constant features. The liver may suffer
severely in the so-called bilious typhoid and marked jaundice may
ensue with a typhoid state.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account