The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1944-04-19

their return these diseases will be
introduced into this country. The
danger is probably not very great
that they will get much of a foot
hold because most Of them depend
for spread on insects that cannot,
or at least do not, live anywhere
except in tropical climates.
The situation has. however,
given an impetus to the study Of
tropical diseases both among prac-
tlcing physicians and in the cur
riculum in our medical schools.
All medical schools now have
courses in tropical medicine given
by experts in that field.
The newer generation of prac-
ticing doctors will be well trained
both by precept and experience if
they serve in the Mediterranean,
South Pacific or Indian war the
aires in tropical diseases
Malaria
Malaria, the commonest and
most dangerous of all tropical dis
eases, has always and still is pres
ent in some parts of the United
States, particularly in the delta
region of the Mississippi. We are
beginning to see a few sporadic
cases In the Northern States in
the persons of soldiers and sailors
returning from the combat areas.
The civilian or home practitioner
must be on the alert for these be-
cause the patient may present a
set of symptoms entirely unfamil-.
lar to him. From London comes a
story of a flying officer who re-
turned from a malarious. country
TO spend a few days in his home
town. He developed a high fever
with symptoms of meningitis ard
was treated for everything except
malaria, from which in few days
he died. His doctor was a sound
practitioner, but he just never
thought Of malaria.
Dysentery, both amebic and
bacillary, is present in all the
three active war zones. Both forms
are quite likely to be brought to
the United States, but with proper
precautions for the water supply
they are unlikely TO spread.
Filiariasis is present in all
three theatres of war. 1t is caused
by a little threadlike worm which
enters the blood through the bite
of certain flies. 1t causes unsightly
deformities called elephantiasis,
but very rarely, and returning
soldiers who have become infected
with the condition need have little
fear Of that or any other serious
consequences.
l once knew q British colonel
with a record of India service who
was full of fliaria, but the only
way it affected him was that the
little worms would prowl at night
and get in the retinal vessels Of
his eyes and he had horrible dream
illusions Of dragons and snakes
pursuing him., We have had filiar-
iasis in some parts of this country,
notably around Charleston, but
after it was recognized it was
easily eliminated. Its spread is
very dependent on optimal condi-
tons Of temperature and humidity.
Typhus Fever
Plague has always been q po-
tential danger TO all the world
when trouble was brewing. 1t rides
with the other three horsemen of
the Apocalypse. But even this re-
mote possibility is mitigated by
the good results being obtained
against plague with the new sulfa
drugs. The returning soldier IL
not likely TO bring back heas or
rats in his knapsack and without
them no plague.
Typhus fever il not likely 10 be
brought back here TO the United
States by returning soldiers be-
cause a good delousing will obliter-
ate the danger; the louise and the
flea alone spread typhus.
Tropical diseases, such as sleep
ing sickness, oriental sore, and
KAla-azar, are so dependent on
climate for their spread that there
is little danger Of their getting
foothold in the continental United
States
Shine TON-Ap-A chor.t,