Filariasis and elephantiasis in Fiji : being a report to the London School of Tropical Medicine / by P.H. Bahr.

  • Manson-Bahr, Philip H. (Philip Henry), Sir, 1881-1966
Date:
1912
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Filariasis and elephantiasis in Fiji : being a report to the London School of Tropical Medicine / by P.H. Bahr. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    22/318 (page 8)
    I. A large proportion of Fijians harbour microfilariae in their blood. 1,320 people of all ages and for the most part of Fijian blood (vide Appendices II]. and IV.), were examined for microfilariae. 804 of these were males and 516 females. 30:4 per cent of the former, and 23°9 per cent. of the latter were found infected. That is 27-1 per cent. of the total population examined; a figure slightly lower than the 33 per cent. estimate given by Dr. Wilson, and slightly higher than that given by Dr. Lynch. Tables are given in the Appendix (Nos. HI. and IV.) showing the age incidence reckoned in decades. The incidence is greatest in both sexes after the twentieth year. The youngest Fijian in whose blood micro- filariae were found was a girl of five years of age. Comparatively more females than males were found to be infected below the age of ten years. Due allowance, however, must be made in these instances for the small numbers examined. The statistics given by Sir Patrick Manson in China, and later by Dr. Duncan Whyte,” show that the incidence of infection in that country also increases with age. In Fiji, as in countries where filariasis is common, it appears to be the rule that the incidence of infection is greatest in the male sex. The exception to this rule is British Guiana, where Daniels and Conyers'® found twice as many females infected as males. In my tables it will be noted that the greatest number of people examined ranged in age from ten to thirty years, the explanation being that natives of this age are more accessible for examination than are the very young and the elderly. The microfilaria rate in different parts of the Fiji Islands varies con- siderably, and in direct ratio with the number of cases of elephantiasis and other filarial diseases present (Appendix No. XVII.). Thus in the town of Bau, which lies just off the large island of Vitilevu, the microfilaria rate per total population is 12°5 per cent.; whilst on the island of Lakemba, 200 miles away, it is 36°5 per cent., or nearly three times that number. II. (a)—Adult filariae are to be found in the lymphatics without the presence in the blood of corresponding microfilariae. Under this heading I have grouped some observations on the con- ditions under which these and other adult filariae were found, and also on their measurements while alive. The minute anatomy and identi- fication of the species will be dealt with later by Dr. Leiper. Measurements were all made in normal saline on a glass slide. The living filariae, on being placed in the solution, were gently heated till they stretched themselves out and became motionless. The excess of saline solution was then blotted away and measurements of length ascertained by means of a fine compass and millimetre scale. Measurements of breadth and other details were made by means of a micrometer eyepiece. After ineasurement the worms were plunged into boiling 70 per cent. alcohol for transmission to Dr. Leiper. I give below a summary of twelve measurements, eight females and four males. The letters distinguishing each specimen refer to further particulars given in the text. : In making a filarial census of a town or district the aid of the native chief or ‘ Roko was ul ( | . re . p> it as c SY I . h fox examination.