Some practical observations on so-called malaria being a water-borne disease / by W.H. Daly.

  • Daly, W. H. (William Hudson), 1842-1901.
Date:
1894
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Some practical observations on so-called malaria being a water-borne disease / by W.H. Daly. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    the North for breeding purposes many of those that were turned out on the marshes to drink the surface-water sooner or later sickened and died with what was known as climatic fever (malarial), but the animals that were kept stabled and drank only the deep well- and cistern-water would thrive as well as they did in the North. In the British Medical Journal of October 21, 1893, Oswald Baker, Surgeon of the British Army, writes that on the steamer “ Scindia,” which sailed from Bombay for Marseilles on August 5, 1893, there occurred several cases of acute malarial fever that were, from the account given by Mr. Baker, clearly traceable to the drinking-water, which was taken on the ship at Bombay, and not in any way due to the air that the patients breathed. It is a pleasure to note in the medical journals—the great educators of those who write text-books—the accumulating testimony of careful observers, who agree with my observations and experience herein set forth. In the Medical Record of January 28, 1893, E. D. S. writes “ that five out of a family of six adults and children had suffered pretty continuously for the past six years with malaria (so diagnosticated by the best physicians), at times being quite seriously ill; with temperature 104° F.; quinine was admin- istered. Seven months ago a Pasteur filter was introduced, and quickly every symptom of malaria disappeared. Another family had the same experience.” Dr. L. L. Yon Wedekind, U. S. N.,in the Medical Record of February 11, 1893, gives a history of some cases which indicate that to drinking the land-water on the coast of South- western Africa was traceable the cause of malarial fever. The Doctor further says “ that land-water is considered as a cause, and a prominently exciting cause, with naval medical officers,” as is proven by the orders issued by medical officers of the different ships serving on the coast, prohibiting the use of native water for drinking purposes. In the region about Elizabeth City, N. C., some years ago, • in conversation with some well-educated medical men—among others Drs. W. J. Lumsden and Oscar McMullen—who were