New-York tribune., 1903-05-28
HAL4RI4L CHILLS.

Additional insight into the phenomena Of ma
larial fever may possibly be afforded by q
theory just outlined in "The Eew-York Medi-
cal Record That disease is now generally at
tributed TO the presence Of q parasite IN the
patients system, and the occurrence Of chills
is believed to be due to. or associated with
the operation of splitting or multiplication. Dr.
A. F. A. King, Of Washington, expresses the
opinion that the process is promoted by the ac-
ton Of red light Several reasons are offered
for so thinking. This organism belongs to the
| animal kingdom and is practically an ampba-
1t is already known that red light stimulates
other am9ba, and darkness seems to prevent
their multiplication The great majority Of
malariaI chii1s occur during the daytime. In
asmucn as the parasite is immersed in the
blood, it is under the influence Of a ruddy iilu-
rDination when q strong white light falls on the
surface Of the body Finally, it is conceivable
that the comparative immunity Of negroes TO
malaria may be in some measure effect Of
the color Of their skin
An ingenious phase Of this hypothesis is its
bearing upon the recognized potency of quinine
That drug is one OF several which possess the
property of fiuorescenCe Fluorescence affords
q violet light, and the latter .anta gonizes or
suppresses red rays. Dr. King deems it pos
sible that the speculation of the parasites may
always break up malaria1 fever; but it is sug-
gested that the organisms which remain thus
obstinate may be those of the crescent" type.
According to DR.. Patrick Manson, a leading
authority on the disease, the crescent shaped
parasites hide III the spleen. brain and darker
recesses of the body. Thus, in Dr.. Kings iudg-
ment, they are not exposed TO the fuorescent
action Of the quinine.
Though shrewd laymen who have had much
experience with ''chills and fever may be able
to pick flaws in the theory here presented,
and though physicians may find it even more
vulnerable, az least one thing can be said in
its favor. II is not fatty contradicted by &C
cepted notions in regard to bacterial disease.
Typhoid fever, diphtheria and tetanus for in
stance. are the effects Of toxins secreted by
bacilli The germs Of those and some other
maIadies operate indirectly. not directly: and
their products can be, and have been, isolated.
The parasite Of malaria. not being form Of
vegetable lfe is apparently free to work in
an entirely different manner. Whatever other
objections may be offered to DR.. Kings sur
misses, any lack OF similarity between the latter
and the fairly well established theories of bac-
terioiogy would be by no means fatal.
II by further experiment his convictions
should be confirmed, perhaps new methods OF
treatment might be suggested At present 1t
does not seem likely that quinine will soon be
superseded; but it would be interesting to know
what could be accomplished by the exposure
OF a patient TO violet light Or consignment TO
absolute darkness Except IN special inst1tu-
tons the former agent would not be available.
Even there 1t would be costly. Darkness could
be more easily obtained in the patients own
home. be it never so humble. OF course there
would be difficulty in persuading him TO sub
nit to it for long time. STILL II tests of the
right character were undertaken it might be
found that the remedy would prove sficacious
without being absolutely continuous Another