Annual report on the Medical Research Institute / 1909-.

  • Nigeria. Medical Research Institute.
Date:
[1922]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

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

    44/46 (page 40)
    From the accounts given of the Italian’s movements prior to his illness, I am led to conclude that he contracted his illness not in Warri but in some outlying native village of which there are plenty in the mangrove swamps. He had a habit of visiting such places in the dark and late night, and in early morning I believe. In fact, the native opinion was that he had been poisoned. All the white population who desired it were vaccinated with Noguchi’s vaccine. Beyond slight muscular stiffness there is nothing special to record about the vaccinations. Warri is very moist and is somewhat overcrowded with trees which certainly keep the breeze off which blows from the creek. I would recommend that every second free all over Warri be removed. This would allow the other trees to grow bigger and higher and so allow of more ventilation beneath them. I came back through Sapele, Benin, and Osliogbo. I saw no signs of Yellow Fever in any of these places, nor rumours to that effect. The microscopic findings of the post-mortem specimens of the Italian are appended. They were typical of Yellow Fever, except in the case of the liver, which fitted more the description of Weil’s disease. No Spirochaet.es were found in the silver-stained preparations. An attempt was made to examine the local rats for L. ictero- haemorrhagiae, but none were caught. Dark ground examinations of suspicious bloods failed to reveal L. icteroides. I must put on record the great kindness I had from everyone— especially must mention Dr. and Mrs. Leonard—the Sisters, Misses Smith and Murphy, and the Resident, Major Swanston—but all were kind and helpful. Nearly every Medical Officer has sent material during the year. They are cordially thanked for doing so. MICROSCOPIC RESULTS. Liver. Shows granular degeneration of cells. Nuclei stain well. Some Lymphocytic and polymorphonuclear infiltration. No marked fatty degeneration nor zonal destruction. In fact it fits the description given by Professor Hoffman in his article on Leptospira experimental infection of guinea pigs—see Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, page 353, of November 15th, 1922. This fits the pathological findings of Weil’s disease. Pancreas. Appears to me as described on page 355. Kidney. As on page 354 and so forth. In fact the histological results would apply rather more to Weil’s disease than Yellow Fever. No spirochaetes found in the silver- stained preparations. (Sgd) W. A. YOUNG, Assistant Bacteriologist. Lagos, 4tli January, 1923.