BLUE-SKINNED MEN

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 June 1943, Page 5

BLUE-SKINNED MEN

SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT

(Rec. 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 11. The remarkable cure of two brothers who had blue skin (idiopathic maihaemoglobinaemia) is revealed by the British Medical Journal. The cause of blue skin in humans is un-_ known. The cases of the two brothers were the first reported in Great Britain and Ireland. The elder brother, aged 29, has been blue-skinned since birth. Not only was the skin of the race, including the ears and neck, blue, but his hands, feet, and to a lesser extent, his body, were coloured deep blue. Treatment began on March 30, 1942. The patient was given ascorb acid night and morning by the mouth on the first day, followed by increased doses twice daily, with sodium bicarbonate daily at noon. On the twelfth day, the patient’s complexion became natural. The treatment was continued until now his health has improved and his complexion remains normal. The blue condition of the younger brother, aged 19, possibly was slightly present at birth. It was more pronounced at 11, but he was not deeply blue-coloured. The treatment began on May 4, 1942. During the first month, the blue ol the lips and ears gradually disappeared, yielding to normal reddish tones. MENINGITIS CURES NEW YORK, June 11. Doctor Emanuel Appeibaum, ch'.r-f ol the Meningitis Division, New York City Health Department, achieved a recovery rate ot 95 per cent, in 221 meningitis cases treated with sulfadiazine, of whom only eight died. The newspaper P.M. says: The significance ol these figures may be gauged by the fact that in 1942 one in five meningitis victims died. Nineteen forty-three witnessed a widespread meningitis epidemic throughout the country. Nearly 10.000 cases were reported since January 1, which was seven times greater than in 1942. Almost as stunning as the low death-rate, says Dr. Appeibaum. is the wonderful speed and simplicity with which cases clear, up. Moreover, no relapses have been reported..