Reprints of articles contributed to medical journals, 1895-1909 / by John D. Gimlette.

  • Gimlette, John D. (John Desmond), 1867-1934
Date:
1911
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Reprints of articles contributed to medical journals, 1895-1909 / by John D. Gimlette. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Puru kochi lias been mentioned under etiology. It is referred to in an old Malay dictionary as the vene- real disease [16]. “ Puru kochi ” is said to be chronic. It is not considered fatal, although no native medicine will cure it. It is also called “ puru glang besi ” (glang, lit. a bracelet or anklet; besi, iron). Puru kenam: in Kelantan “ kenam ” is said to occur when small children get lumps (“kenam”) all over their body. It appears as circular red spots, and it is interesting to note that it is sometimes known as “puru Burma.” Puru parang is said to complicate other sores, and to be recognised by its deep ulceration. It occurs on the foot, and is said to attack old people. There are various other unimportant so-called varieties. Intercurrent diseases are generally the cause of death. A first attack of puru in old age is always serious. Young children may succumb, although rarely, to asthenia. Cellular abscesses may form. Scars are indefinite, but it is exceptional to find villagers who have not had puru early in life, and who cannot point in later life to some dark scar left by the disease. The old scar of “puru ibu ” is as well remembered by Malays as are vaccination marks by Europeans. It resembles in appearance the scar of scalds or burns of the third Jtepr perhaps fourth degree, except that it is dark in colour. Scars are sometimes definitely depressed, and when on the face may cause contractions of the mouth known in Malay as “ sipit mulut ” (“ sipit, ” puckered ; “mulut,” mouth). A slight disfigurement is very common, and is known as “ birat ” in Malay. Permanent deformity of the limbs and ankylosis of joints may also be the result of puru. The Diagnosis of Puru. Doubtless if the nature of puru were not well under- stood many cases of it might be classified as syphilis, because at first sight there seern to be many points of