The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1908-12-30
HAS RARE DISEASE
jamaican Came to Washington With
Elephantiasis.

Washington, SDec. 3O-Suffering
from elephantiasis, disease practi-
cally unknown in this country, and
which results In the lower exetremi-
ties assuming abnormal size, Ed
ward Black, a native of the West In
dies, formerly connected with the
United States revenue cutter service,
ts at Casualty hospital in serious
condition. The mans left leg is five
times the size of the right, and the
swelling will continue, the physicians
say, until the affliction interferes with
the circulation of the blood, when
death will result instantaneously.
Elephantiasis, according to scient-
lists, Is one of the rarest deadly dis
eases. and Is virtually unknown out
side of tropical countries. 1t is con-
tracted through the bites of poisonous
insects, and when it once gains head
way there is practically no cure. On
ly two or three known cases have
been treated in the United States. and
Blacks case is the first of its kind,
80 far as Is known, to have been
brought to the attention OF Washing
ton physicians.
Contracted in. Service.
Bl%sk contracted the disease five
yeaN ago while in the United States
revRnue\ cutter service, and the swell
ing Mas gradually increased until the
left les" has assumed such size that
the man is unable to get abour with
out the aid of crutches. If the pa
tient lives two years longer, the ply
sicians 'le;; n treating the man say III she leg
will be larger than his body The on
1v I'm
is the application of a peculiar i'm
ported liniment and tight bandages.
If it Is found that the ailment is like
ly to stop the circulation of the blood,
amputatton always is resorted to.
Black was born in Kingston, Jamaica
and is rs years old. His parents were
wealthy planters, but he entered the
revenue cutter service, and has visit
ed almost every country on the globe.
Five years ago, shortly after he left
India, his leg began to swell. He
consulted physician who pronounced
the affliction inflammatory rheumat-
ism, but as the swelling increased
other physicians and specialists were
consulted, with the result that the ma
ture of the disease was made known
to the sufferer. "%3
Returned to Jamaica.
Black went to his home in Jamaica,
where he remained until a few weeks
ago, the affliction being treated by
the leading physicians of that city.
Realizing that the leg was becoming
larger, Black, three weeks ago, decid-
ed to come to this country for treat
ment. He landed in New York and
was about to enter a hospital there
when he was advised to come to
Washington.
Upon arriving in this city the man
obtained lodging at 527 Third street
southwest, and yesterday his suffering
became so intense that he communi-
Gated with DIR. Moffitt, as Casualty
hospital, and asked to be removed to
that institution. Black was carried
from the house on stretcher.
DR.. Moff1tt and the members of the
hospital staff spent several hours last
night In research work. All data re-
lating to elephantiasis was carefully
read, and DR.. Moffitt has decided to re-
sort to bandages and massage in an
effort to ease the mans suffering. The
disease Is incurable, he says.
The bureau of medicine and surgery
of the navy department for some time
has epdeavored to effect cure for the
dreaded disease. Naval surgeons have
performed operations on natives of
Samoa and it is declared that several
have proved successful. No opera
tions ever have been performed in this
country.