Medical Sketches of the Expedition to Egypt, from India

by Sir James McGrigor

SYPHILIS.

This disease prevailed much in the garrison of Ghiza, and in the 86th regiment. At the time of embarkation there were many obstinate cases. With the small stock of nitric acid which we had, we had as strong proofs of its efficacy as in India. In the instances of some officers who were successfully treated with it, we found that the stomach seldom bore more than half the quantity which, in Bombay, we had usually exhibited in the hospital of the 88th regiment; but the acid given to these cases differed much from the acid used in India: the latter was a much pleasanter remedy.

To a few cases we successfully gave the oxymuriate of potash, and to several cases the oxymuriate of soda.

We found that syphilis was a frequent disease in every part of Egypt that we had seen, both among the Bedouins and the Fellahs; and we have seen in Upper Egypt many objects terribly mutilated from this disease. Crude mercury I have often seen in their bazars, or markets, and they appeared to be acquainted with the use of it.

THE GUINEA-WORM.

This did not frequently appear in the Indian army while they were in Egypt: on the voyage thither, however, it prevailed very much, and a great deal of it came under my own particular notice. On my return to India I found, that, in the manner of its first appearance, as well as in its progress afterwards, much of what I had observed was considered, by medical men, as new and remarkable. I shall, therefore, give some detail of it here: though this may be going a little out of my way, it may be useful. When cases of this disease crowded on me, and with the very severe symptoms with which they appeared, I was both perplexed and embarrassed; and I regretted much the not having had a previous knowledge of the disease.

This disease, as will be shewn by the table, was but little seen in Egypt. It appeared only in two European corps, the 86th and 88th regiments; and in two native Indian corps, the 1st and 7th Bombay regiments. It is a disease, of which I believe that we know but little. Industry and attention might be usefully employed in the investigation of the natural history of the dracunculus.

In September, 1799, the 86th regiment relieved the 84th in the fort of Bombay. The 86th remained in the king’s barracks there until October, 1800, at which time they were relieved by the 88th regiment from the island of Coulabah.