The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1901-06-09
AS SERIOUS AS LspRosY
kakke. Philippine Disease that tire
soisiers Are Liable to Bring Here

kakke- Philippine Disease that the
soiaiers Are Liable to Bring Here.
From the Chicago Tribune
Fears that the occupation Of the
Philippines may introduce a new IN
demic and epidemic disease to the
United States hare been Worrying the
medical profession Kakke Is the
designation that has been given It,
and the virulency OF It IS such as to
make its Introduction into this cocn-
orzbie circumstances its victims may
be one in ten, and where the disease
is unchecked half of those attacked
may die. United States soldiers N
the Philippines have been attacked
BY IL. and the long-lived germ may be
brought to the Pacific coast IN trans
ports. 1t is considered to be as So
rioas as Is leprosy-
In beriberi patient is pale and
haggard- kakke. as II has developed
in the Philippines. has directly op-
posite effect on the patient, leaving
him flushed, but often with no fever
Kakke attacks anyone between the
age or 20 and 40. irrespective OF physl-
cal conditions, Just as measles and
smallpox, and indifferently persons
OF all constitutions and tempera-
ments.
neously; it can be acquired only In
localities where it exists habitually.
1t is a common disease in prisons, asy-
lums, schools and among soldiers in
the army, and is known to break out
on vessels among the crews, who
sail from or touch at a Kakke port.
1t is considered a non-febrile dis
ease, the temperature frequently be
ing subnormal; however, where fever
does occur it is generally during o.
Just after the initial stage. The
blood is not often found changed,
but the heart reveals more or less
pronounced alterations, there is usu-
ally palpitation, percussion and heart
murmurs. The pulse varies and is
always in harmony with the heart
actions.
In many cases the digestive organs
are not impaired, the appetite is good
and sometimes craving at the begin
ming of the disease; occasionally
there is a loss of appetite. The
tongue is covered, sometimes there
is nausea. vomiting and diarrhoea,
or constipation. The liver and the
spleen generally normal; in middle
aged patient the liver found to be
increased in volume and slightly
painful on pressure. The lungs man
fest respiratory troubles, sometimes
accompanying paroxysms OF severe
pain, and in many the patient is
taken during the night and even
during the day with violent fits OF
suffocation, similar to asthma. The
skin is dry, rough and corky; it has
also been observed that perspirations
may occur in certain regions of the
body.
The patient complains of formica
ton, pricking and tingling; some say
that the ground often seems elastic
as if it were covered with thick lay
ers of cotton, and some say, when
walking, their feet feel as II they
were being pricked with needles
others, when they touch the roof q
the mouth with the tongue, feel
sensation like that produced by hairs
| or threads Some experience sharI
pain in the muscles, especially II
| the calves of the legs. in the thighs
and forearms. The patient often com
plains OF a heavy feeling, rigid mus
| cles. in fact, cramps in all muscles
| Ocular disorders are also frequent
Sometimes patients suffer continu
GUS eruptions of various kinds. The
| disease may last long time ant
| slowly progress towards a chronic
state. subjected to acute paroxysms
many of which are terminated by
death: sometimes it is rapidly cureC
| when the patient changes climate, a.
/ other times it remains stationary To-
a long period or grows worse Slowly
| The duration of the disease may b'
five weeks and may be two weeks
: Relapses are frequent and may Occur
| from three to six times.
The symptoms are varied and com
plex. Few diseases present so man!
different features; therefore 1t is diL
fcult to make a diagnosis, especial
w by physicians who never saw suci
a malady. The principal symptoms
are preceded by a feeling OF sadness
chills and headaches, presentiments
| inability to work. muscular fatigue
| after the slightest exercise. shortnes'
of breath. insomnia. bad dreams aut
nightmares when the patient doe
sleep. and paipitations- Now AM
then for a few days the patient ma.
| feel quite well. but again relapse
and may keep on getting better ant
! worse for some time before the NOR
/ otarar& eristie svmptoms of the dis