Beriberi / by Edward B. Vedder.

  • Vedder, Edward Bright, 1878-1952.
Date:
1913
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Beriberi / by Edward B. Vedder. 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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    INTRODUCTION. Etymology. Many derivations of the word beriberi have been suggested. It may be the Singalese word beri, meaning weak. Re- duplication of a word in languages of Malay origin accentuates its meaning or forms a superlative. Thus, according to this principle, beriberi would mean very weak or a great weakness. Meyer-xA-hrens derives the term beriberi from words in the Indian dialects, i. e., Bheree or Beri, meaning sheep in Hindostani from the fancied resem- blance of the gait of persons so affected to that of a sheep. This same suggestion was made by Bontius in 1642, and was undoubtedly obtained by him from natives. Another Hindu possibility suggested by Herklots is the word Bher-bheri, signifying a sore or swelling, Platteeuw derived it from the Sudanese words biribi or biribit, mean- ing stiff walking, while Carter claims it comes from Arabic words Buhr (asthma) and bahri (a sailor), since such a form of dyspnoea is frequently encountered among sailors in Arabian waters. It is imi)ossible to definitely trace the origin of the word beriberi, but it is undoubtedly an oriental word and probably from some language allied to or derived from Malay. Synojiyiiis. There are a large number of synouA^is, native names and newly coined anatomical or clinical names for beriberi. The native names are almost as numerous as the countries in which the disease appears. The synonyms and native names include the following: Brazil: Perneiras (ailing feet). Ceylon: Formerly called the bad sickness of Ceylon. China: Kakke (a disease of the legs). Cuba: Hinchazon (dropsy) de los negros y Chinos. English: Barbers or barberi is occasionally used, b^rench: Rarbiers. French Antilles : Maladie des sucreries. Japan : Kakke or Ashike. Java: Loempoe. Malaysia: Kaki lem but (weak legs). Matto-Grosso: Inchacao. New Guinea : Pantjakit papoea. Philip])ines: Taon, taol and suba (infantile beriberi).