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Amebiasis

A Clinical Study¹

INTRODUCTION Amebiasis may be defined as any pathological condition caused wholly or in part by protozoa of the genus Endamoeba.

Although undoubtedly of great antiquity, no important step was taken separating amebic infections from "bloody flux" until Loesch discovered amebas in dysenteric stools in 1875. During the succeeding years amebas not only have been established as the cause of specific types of colitis, but the list has grown and includes involvement of the liver, lung, brain, pericardium, abdominal wall, oral cavity, appendix, cellular tissues, bladder and probably invasion of the blood stream.

That there are several species of the parasites, some pathogenic and others either less pathogenic or entirely harmless, also is quite generally accepted. The methods of differentiation between the different species inhabiting man, although quite complete from the protozoologic standpoint, have not been settled to the satisfaction of clinicians working in the tropics, at least upon the point of pathogenesis.

¹ At the time of Dr. Musgrave's death in 1927, he had this material collected from his own extensive experience in Manila. He wrote about it as follows, "This clinical study represents a summary of our own work and conclusions. The evidence was accumulated during twenty years' tropical experience with over 20,000 records of amebiasis patients and over 3,000 autopsy records from our own services. The biology of the parasites is not included. No bibliography is given and but slight reference to the work of other authors." Such material is unusual and original and it is our desire to make it of use to clinicians and other workers in this field. The illustrations were all prepared by Dr. Musgrave for this purpose.—A. C. R.

Owing to the value of this contribution, based upon the enormous experience of the author, it has been thought justifiable to publish it upon the request of Dr. Reed, the editor of the manuscript.—Editor.