C. Syphilis.
Syphilis, due to Treponema pallidum (sometimes called Spirochæta pallida), is prevalent throughout the tropics as well as in temperate zones. The disease is amenable to treatment by salvarsan and neo-salvarsan, for administration of which see relapsing fever and yaws. Galyl is also being used with favourable results. Lambkin’s mercury cream has been found useful in treating numerous cases in Uganda. The life-history of the parasite is given on p. [124], and further medical details hardly come within the purview of this book.
D. Bronchial Spirochætosis.
Bronchial spirochætosis, due to Spirochæta bronchialis (see pp. [122], [739]) is probably of wide distribution in the tropics. The spirochætes have been found in cases of chest complaints, especially those with bronchitic symptoms. The disease may be suspected in atypical cases of pneumonia and bronchitis, and may be mistaken for incipient phthisis.
Chalmers and O’Farrell[453] (1913), writing from Khartoum, recommended rest in bed, good food and ventilation, coupled with treatment by arsenic in some form, preferably associated with glycerophosphates. These may be given by the mouth, or intramuscularly as an injection of:—
| Sodium cinnamate | 0· | 05 grm. |
| Sodium cacodylate | 0· | 10 " |
| Sodium glycerophosphate | 0· | 10 " |
Taylor[454] (1913–14), writing from Entebbe, Uganda, prescribes arsenious acid by the mouth in increasing doses. Creosote has been used in West Africa.
VI.—MALARIA.
Malaria, known also under the names of ague, paludism, marsh fever, remittent fever, intermittent fever and climatic fever, among others, is a very widely spread disease. It is most prevalent in the equatorial regions and gradually diminishes north and south of the equator. The various malarial parasites (see pp. [155] to [172]) are spread by species of Anophelines, and hence malaria is present in districts favourable to these intermediate hosts, that is, in places where there is a considerable amount of atmospheric moisture and rain, as well as heat.