Walker and Emrich have recently reported success in treatment of cyst carriers by giving oil of chenopodium in 3 hourly doses of 16 minims, followed by castor oil and preceded by a dose of magnesium sulphate.
CHAPTER XI
LIVER ABSCESS
History and Geographical Distribution
History.—Although Hippocrates noted the method of evacuating abscess of the liver by caustics there was very little known about the condition until during the last century.
The history in connection with the finding of amoebae in liver abscesses is of very recent date (1887) and is taken up under the history of amoebic dysentery.
Geographical Distribution.—Concisely one may state that the distribution of liver abscess is in relation to the existence of amoebic dysentery. It is particularly prevalent in those centers of amoebic infection where there are many white men having little knowledge of the conditions necessary for the maintenance of health in the tropics.
In liver abscess, as with blackwater fever, it is education rather than acclimatization that brings about a diminution of these tropical diseases.
For several years subsequent to the American occupation of the Philippines amoebic dysentery and liver abscess were common but in more recent years liver abscess has become rare in Americans and amoebic dysentery much reduced in prevalence.
More temperate living results in less storing up of fat in the liver and an organ more resistant to infection.