Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1942-08-13
BETTER Health
UnduIan+
Fever Gains
In America
Protection Given BY Use
Of Pasteurized Milk
BY DIR. LOGAN CLENDENING


EORTY years ago DR.. Richard
Cabot Of Boston used 10 re-
iterate 10 his medical students
that in the northern part of
North America. il they had a
patient with "a fever and MOTH
ing 10 show for il" the diagnosis
was, in such a high proportion
OF cases as 10 make il a safe
rule. one of three things-ty-
phoid fever, tuberculosis or sep
Sis.
This excluded the malaria Of
our southern states and tropical
diseases.
BY with nothing to show for
II" Doctor Cabot meant no pain.
no skin eruption, no pointing
symptoms.
Since then typhoid fever has
dropped out OF the lists. II is
relic of the Dark Ages.
Whenever IL occurs, somebody
has made a mistake.
But its place has been taken
by undulant fever, and if we
replace typhoid by undulant
fever in Doctor Cabot's diagnos-
tic list, the saying is still true.
ITNDULANT fever is new
~ conner in North America.
The first case was identified in
1924.
1t had been known in the
Mediterranean countries, the
first carefully described cases
being on the island OF Malta
among goats-herdsmen. and was
variously- called Mediterranean
fever, Malta fever and goat
fever.
The germ that caused il in
fected goats. entered their milk
and entered the human when he
drank the goats milk.
Since then it has been found
that a form of the germ in
tests cattle and another. swine.
In the United States there
were "a cases reported in 1925
and 2.497 in 1887.
Although public health meas
ures had probably actually re-
duced the number of cases in
the meantime, the increase in
the number reported is due 10
BETTER diagnosis.
IN the acute form II is
Il summer disease, probably be-
cause of the higher consump-
ton and heavier contamination
OF milk in summer.
The midwestern states have
the largest number OF cases.
Cities are relatively free of
cases, probably due 10 milk
inspection and insistence on pas
teurized milk in urban commu-
mites.
II is easy TO understand how
the germ can be transmitted 10
humans from infected animals in
their milk.
What is not so well sppreci-
ated is that the handling OF
meat Of infected animals and
the handling of infected ami
mails. such as in milking, also
will transmit the disease.
One physician says he never
knew a veterinary surgeon who
had not had the disease or at
least did not show an immune
reaction 10 ii.
And farmers, butchers. dairy
men. packing house employees
are especially susceptible TO it.
THE acute form is character
Il lied by a prolonged fever
day after day that lasts often
several months.
Nothing but fever and weak
ness and soreness OF the muscles
is present.
Treatment is largely the sup
portive treatment OF chronic
fever.
Vaccine is generally given and
shortens the attack.
r or tne average person pro-
lection is afforded by using pas
teuriZed milk.
Tomorrow I wish 10 discuss
the chronic form.
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS
G.. H.-Does a person suffer-
ing from chorea run an abnor-
NAL temperature? Does he have
a normal sedimentation rate if
it is accompanied by rheumatic
fever
Answer-The temperature in
chorea is sometimes. but not al
ways. slightly elevated. Sedi-
mentation rate is rapid.
Cut Do+o Cr,,ieo