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Researches on blackwater fever in Southern Rhodesia
202
REVIEWS.
and the drippings from hydrants. There is no piped water-supply to the houses, consequently water is carried and stored. The pamphlet is well printed, and contains photographs showing the breeding-places of A. stephensi. It is dedicated to the Municipal Committee of Ajmer in the hope that they may find it useful " if at any time they should decide to interest themselves seriously in the prevention of the incidence of malaria." W.F. RESEARCHES
ON
BLACKWATER FEVER IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA.* In this Memoir on blackwater fever, Dr. G. R. Ross, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, reports on the work done by him in Southern Rhodesia, from April, 1925 to April, 1929. This valuable monograph on the subject of h~emoglobinuric fever not only deals with the author's own extensive observations, but includes a survey of previous researches on this subject. As a work of reference, therefore, to all those interested in tropical diseases this comprehensive compilation of 262 pages with an index will be invaluable. The Memoir is divided into three parts, dealing respectively with the Epidemiology, the Blood and Urine, and the Clinical observations and Therapeutics of this disease. From the epidemiological point of view there is overwhelming evidence that h~emoglobinuric fever is co-related with the presence of subtertian malaria in Southern Rhodesia. Malaria is the necessary preliminary for producing in man, especially non-immune Europeans, what might be termed a sensitising action which results in hannolysis and further an onset of malaria in such individuals may precipitate a sudden h~emolysis followed by h~emoglobinuria. The relationship between atmospheric temperature, rainfall, incidence of blackwater fever, malaria and prevalence of Anopheles gambi~e and A. funestus is graphically illustrated in an instructive chart. The section on blood and urine emphasises the importance of more accurate and extensive studies in the biochemistry of these as it is quite obvious, in spite of the vast amount already done, that the mechanism of the production of the h~emolysis is still unknown. The various theories advanced require experimental proof before they can be accepted. Finally in the third section of the report Ross deals with the clinical observations and treatment. Obviously there is no known specific treatment which will prevent h~emolysis or arrest it. Those about to investigate either the cause or treatment of blackwater fever will be well advised to carefully study this memoir which so critically and fully reviews the present state of our knowledge regarding it. The author is to be congratulated on this excellent contribution to the literature of tropical diseases. J. G. fl~HOMSON. * By G. R. Ross, M.B., CH.B., PH.D., D.P.H., Rhodesian Research Fellow, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, No. 6, Memoir Series 262 pp. Published by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, W.C.I., 1932. Price in cloth, 10s. 6d., in paper, 8s. H.
kl. GIRUBB.
I.TD,.
PRIN'rERS,
C~OYDON.
REVIEWS.
and the drippings from hydrants. There is no piped water-supply to the houses, consequently water is carried and stored. The pamphlet is well printed, and contains photographs showing the breeding-places of A. stephensi. It is dedicated to the Municipal Committee of Ajmer in the hope that they may find it useful " if at any time they should decide to interest themselves seriously in the prevention of the incidence of malaria." W.F. RESEARCHES
ON
BLACKWATER FEVER IN SOUTHERN RHODESIA.* In this Memoir on blackwater fever, Dr. G. R. Ross, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, reports on the work done by him in Southern Rhodesia, from April, 1925 to April, 1929. This valuable monograph on the subject of h~emoglobinuric fever not only deals with the author's own extensive observations, but includes a survey of previous researches on this subject. As a work of reference, therefore, to all those interested in tropical diseases this comprehensive compilation of 262 pages with an index will be invaluable. The Memoir is divided into three parts, dealing respectively with the Epidemiology, the Blood and Urine, and the Clinical observations and Therapeutics of this disease. From the epidemiological point of view there is overwhelming evidence that h~emoglobinuric fever is co-related with the presence of subtertian malaria in Southern Rhodesia. Malaria is the necessary preliminary for producing in man, especially non-immune Europeans, what might be termed a sensitising action which results in hannolysis and further an onset of malaria in such individuals may precipitate a sudden h~emolysis followed by h~emoglobinuria. The relationship between atmospheric temperature, rainfall, incidence of blackwater fever, malaria and prevalence of Anopheles gambi~e and A. funestus is graphically illustrated in an instructive chart. The section on blood and urine emphasises the importance of more accurate and extensive studies in the biochemistry of these as it is quite obvious, in spite of the vast amount already done, that the mechanism of the production of the h~emolysis is still unknown. The various theories advanced require experimental proof before they can be accepted. Finally in the third section of the report Ross deals with the clinical observations and treatment. Obviously there is no known specific treatment which will prevent h~emolysis or arrest it. Those about to investigate either the cause or treatment of blackwater fever will be well advised to carefully study this memoir which so critically and fully reviews the present state of our knowledge regarding it. The author is to be congratulated on this excellent contribution to the literature of tropical diseases. J. G. fl~HOMSON. * By G. R. Ross, M.B., CH.B., PH.D., D.P.H., Rhodesian Research Fellow, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, No. 6, Memoir Series 262 pp. Published by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, W.C.I., 1932. Price in cloth, 10s. 6d., in paper, 8s. H.
kl. GIRUBB.
I.TD,.
PRIN'rERS,
C~OYDON.