Annual report on the Medical Research Institute / 1909-.

  • Nigeria. Medical Research Institute.
Date:
[1916]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Annual report on the Medical Research Institute / 1909-. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    21/38 (page 17)
    Not one, but many whole-time statisticians would be required and such observers would have to remember amongst other things that it is given to few officials, non-officials and others to remain long in one station, that “ a go of fever, ” in West Africa is, to many, Europeans and natives alike, less upsetting than a “ common cold ”, and forgotten within a week or two, and also that while there are over 17 million inhabitants of Nigeria there are less than fifty qualified medical men to attend to their illnesses. Leprosy. The method of treatment of this disease, described by Surgeon Victor G. Heiser, U.S. Public Health Service, in his Report “Leprosy. Its treatment in the Phillipine Islands by the hypodermic use of Chaulmoogra Oil Mixture” lias been tried with some of the inmates of the Yaba Leper Asylum. The treatment was begun in May, 1916 so that it is as yet too soon to make a complete report, more particularly as all the patients are old-standing cases. The outstanding results only are described, and some photographs are attached. The oil-mixture used was that recommended by Heiser, Chaul¬ moogra oil 60 cc, Camphorated oil 60 c.c. and Resorcin 4 grains. The mixture was sterilised by boiling, and 2 c.c, injected intramuscularly into the buttock, were given as an initial dose. After the lapse of one wmek, 3 c.c were given and this dose was increased by 1 c.c per week until 8 c.c were being administered. Beyond this amount some discom¬ fort was complained of, so that the procedure finally adopted was to inject 6 c.c twice a week. This dose was well tolerated and every case responded to treatment. The most rapid and obvious effect was the healing of ulcers, many of them large and deep, and of many years* duration. Softening, then absorption of the nodales, fading of the maculae and the return of sensation were also observable, even to the patients themselves. Seven cases have been selected for description. Case I, Male. Age 38 years. Inmate of Asylum for 4 years. First noticed the disease 11 years ago. Face leonine. Skin of face infiltrated and yellowish in colour. Nodules on cheeks, ears, lips and nose. Anaesthetic patches, both arms and both legs. Maculae right hand and both legs. Treatment begun 19.5.16. By December, 1916, the nodules had been considerably absorbed, particularly in the lips, nose and ears. The photographs show distinct wrinkling where absorption has taken place, and the lips, nose and ears are smaller. Sensation has returned in both arms, but only slightly in the legs, whilst the maculae have disappeared except from the lower part of the legs. Case II, Male. Age 21 years. Inmate of Asylum for 6 years. First noticed the disease 7 years ago. Leonine expression. Skin of face thickened. Large nodules over and between eyebrows and on nose, cheeks, ears and lips. Anaesthetic patches, both arms and both legs. Maculae on shoulders, back, buttocks, chest and abdomen.