An inquiry into the etiology of Rötheln (German measles) / by Donald W.C. Hood.

  • Hood, Donald W. C.
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An inquiry into the etiology of Rötheln (German measles) / by Donald W.C. Hood. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.

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    propose to discuss such a theory. Hybridism among the hig-hest forms of animal Hfe has puzzled the naturalist, and to look upon the affection we are now considering as being of hybrid origin, appears to me but the wildest speculation. If the contagium of measles be a living organism, and if there be any truth in the now generally accepted doctrine of evolution, the fundamental laws which underlie these doctrines are as true for the lower forms of life as for those higher in the scale. Hence the living contagium of measles will have to conform to such laws uniformly with the higher forms of organised matter. The possible relationship existing between various specific contagia and evolutional changes consequent on their individual struggle for existence, has been most ably dealt with by Hubert Airy, in a paper to be found in vol, iv. of the Transactiojis of the Epidemiological Society. He remarks : If a contagium be a living organism depending for its support on human susceptibility, it must be capable of variation to match the variations of its human home and food. Now, it would appear from many reasons that the specific contagium of measles has peculiarities which per se renders it liable to evolutional changes. Measles occur more frequently and at shorter intervals than any other epidemic disease we are acquainted with. It is rare for any community or locahty to escape infection for any lengthened period of time. It is rare for any single family of children to escape absolutely from infection. Insuscepti- bility is born of susceptibility. Varying degrees of susceptibility are passed from parent to offspring ; if not, we should constantly meet with cases presenting all the marked features of the disease in its most virulent form ; we should see the contagium falling