The types of anæmia in malarial cachexia and anchylostomiasis / by Leonard Rogers.

  • Rogers, Leonard, 1868-1962.
Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The types of anæmia in malarial cachexia and anchylostomiasis / by Leonard Rogers. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    S edo^j THE TYPES OF ANJ5MIA IN MALARIAL CACHEXIA AND ANCHYLOSTOMIASIS. By Leonard Rogers, M.D., M.B.C.P., F.B.C.S., Indian Medical Service. During a recent investigation of the epidemic malarial fever of Assam, locally known under the name of kala azar, I had occasion to study closely the ana?mia met with in malarial cachexia and in anchylostomi- asis, with the result that I found the type in the two diseases differed so widely as to be of diagnostic importance in differentiating the two diseases, which, in that province, had formerly been confused. The exact changes in the blood in the two affections are somewhat differently described by various writers. Thus in the case of amemia of malarial origin, Kelsch and Kiener 1 say that the red corpuscles are reduced in numbers, while the haemoglobin in each corpuscle is also reduced to five-sixths or one-half. Andrew Davidson 2 says that they are both reduced in numbers and deficient in haemoglobin, the blood being paler than normal. On the other hand, Waddell3 gives the figures obtained in cases of malarial cachexia in Calcutta, which show that while the red corpuscles are reduced in number the average amount of haemoglobin in them is relatively slightly higher than normal, while Cabot4 states that, as a rule the red corpuscles and haemoglobin are diminished proportionally (colour index being 1). Most observers are agreed that in the absence of fever the white corpuscles are considerably reduced in numbers, but their proportion relatively to the red is not stated. I have not been. able to find any estimations of the specific gravity of the blood in this disease. In the case of anchylostomiasis still less definite statements are to be found. Thus Sonsino 5 writes: “The observations respecting the micro¬ scopic alterations of the blood have not hitherto given uniform results. Generally it appears that the alterations consist more in a deficiency in the number of the red corpuscles than in want of colouring matter.” Lutz6 records that he found the red corpuscles constantly and greatly 1 “Maladies des pays chauds.” 2 “Hygiene and Diseases of Warm Climates.” 3 Indian Med. Gaz., 1883. 4 “Clinical Examination of the Blood.” 5 Davidson's “Hygiene and Diseases of Warm Climates,” art. “Intestinal Parasites.” 6 Translation of Sotz’s paper on “Anchylostomiasis,” inKynsey’s “Beriberi of Ceylon.”