The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene - Volume s1-11, Issue 3, May 1931

In the course of the research on yellow fever at the Institute of Tropical Hygiene at Amsterdam (1), the question arose also with us about the relationship between yellow fever and dengue. At first we were struck by the great resemblance to dengue, as regards temperature-chart and the subjective symptoms in a case of laboratory infection with yellow fever. Later on we found that a remarkable difference exists between adult cynomolgi and nemestrini from the Malay Archipelago, that as a rule appeared to be resistant against the yellow fever virus (the so called “souche française” from Dakar) and adult rhesi from the Northern part of India, who were extremely susceptible. And lastly, this same difference appeared to exist between adult Indian cynomolgi and very young animals of the same species, which we found just as susceptible as the rhesi. Especially the latter fact seemed to plead for an immunity acquired during life.

The evidence presented in five separate experimental attempts to effect a transfer of virus from mosquito to mosquito by copulation either directly or after “maturation of the virus in the males” strongly suggests that if it is possible at all, as the result of Experiment 1 would seem to indicate, it is effected with great difficulty; and that if it does occur in nature it probably occurs but rarely. The possible transfer of dengue virus from mosquito to mosquito by copulation may, therefore, be regarded as an unimportant and improbable means of perpetuating the virus of dengue in mosquitoes.

Malarial relapse after a standard course of quinine occurs in a proportion of all cases treated. While this may be due to variations in the virulence of malaria parasites, or variations in the susceptibility of different individuals, it may also be due to variations in the concentration of quinine in the blood of patients rcceiving the same therapeutic dose. A simple and accurate method of determining the amount of quinine in the blood might therefore serve as a guide to treatment.

Several investigators have previously described methods for the determination of quinine in the blood, none of which have been applicable to clinical observations either because they have been too time-consuming or because they did not recover all of the quinine. Ether is the solvent that has been most generally used in extracting the alkaloid from the blood, after the addition of concentrated ammonia.

Fifteen years after Loesch (1875) first identified the ameba parasitic in the tissues of the large bowel as the etiologic agent of one of the two commonest types of dysentery Osler (1890) apparently diagnosed the first case of amebic dysentery in the Western World, although the record of Toribio González (1883) in Caracas possibly needs priority consideration. Immediately afterwards there followed the clinical observations of Stengel (1890) and Musser (1892), while the classical study of Councilman and Lafleur (1891–1892) on the pathology of the dysentery ameba will always serve as a landmark in clinical protozoology. The earliest clinical records from the South are those of Parker (1884–1885) in Virginia, Patterson in South Carolina (1895), and Ashton (1895) in Texas. The earliest contribution from New Orleans on this subject was Simon's masterful study of fifty cases (1909). Six years later DeBuys (1914) emphasized the fact that amebic dysentery was relatively rare in children, although it followed the same course as it did in adults.

This is a complete monograph on leprosy. In 850 closely but well printed pages it presents in separate chapters the history of leprosy, its geographical distribution, bacteriology and alleged cultivation of the lepra bacillus, inoculation of animals, of men, serology, immunity and allergy. Eighty pages are then devoted to etiology and a discussion of how infection in man occurs. This is followed by a clinical description of leprosy in all its various manifestations embellished with excellent photographs of cases. The following chapters on pathology are also illustrated with colored plates. Prophylaxis follows including a discussion on isolation, and a very complete chapter on the various methods of treatment concludes the work. An article by K. Gron on leprosy in literature and art is included.

The method followed has been to summarize the work of all previous investigators followed by the author's opinion briefly expressed.

Medical men are always discussing the effect of climate on health. They all have a general idea as to what constitutes climate, but many of them have very little conception of the relation between insolation and temperature in different latitudes, or of other of the complex details that comprise the climate. The British in India still attribute the unquestioned prostration that occurs in the plains during the hot season to insolation, quite regardless of the fact that the insolation is more intense at the health resort in Simla.

This book explains these details and the reason for them scientifically yet in comparatively non-technical language. It should be of great value to all physicians who are studying the effect of climate either upon health or upon specific diseases.

The book is well made and printed, easy to handle, and profusely illustrated, with 117 figures and 12 plates to 320 pages.

The Faculty of Medicine of Paris (The Medical School of the University) announces that, during June and July, 1931, a comprehensive series of post-graduate courses will be presented. The enterprise is conducted under the auspices of the Association for the Development of Medical Relations (the “A. D. R. M.”) a commission sponsored by the French Government.

The work will be presented in the English language. Clinics, lectures and demonstrations will be conducted in the great hospitals of Paris, on a wide variety of topics, by the most eminent French clinicians. A nominal fee will be charged for each course. Upon the completion of each course, the student who qualifies will receive a certificate covering the work, signed by the professor in charge.

Detailed information may be secured by addressing direct, Professeur E. Hartmann, President, “A. D. R. M.,” Faculty of Medicine of Paris, 12, Rue de L'Ecole de Medicine, Paris (6e) or, in the United States, Doctor Frank Smithies, 920 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.