THE DISEASE ON THE BARQUE LOTHAIR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10036, 24 January 1896, Page 5

THE DISEASE ON THE BARQUE LOTHAIR.

The barqhe Lothair has now been lying for several weeks off the port of Nelson, having put in there Irt consequence ol a mysterious disease having btoketi out oh board. The Lothair is ah English ship sailing under the Italian flag, and was bound from Hong Kong to Callao. Four of tile drew and one passenger had died. The captain stated that the symptoms of the disease were Uselessness or paralysis. It first seized the feet and lets, and crept upward to the stomach till ib reached a vital part* when ( death ensued. Thero Was no pain or swelling; no loss of appetite or spiritsj no vomiting } in fact, all ate heartily throughout, ond seven men, who are still suffering, have excellent appetites. Their legs are simply useless, and they stagger, in attempting to mount the gangway. We were told that the medical mon in Nelson were studying tho disease by referring to standard works, bub hold that in any case the disease is dangerous, infectious, or contagious; We are 'informed by Captain Herrold, of RemUera, who for many years' commanded a steamer iii the China trade, that he has ho doubt that the- disease, which has So puzzled the medical men of Nelson, is beri-beri, of which he saw many cases while he was in the East. It prevails chiefly among the natives of the Malay Peninsula arid islands. It commences in the feet, ahd goes upward till it roachos n vital point, when death takes phltio. Some ton or twelve years ago a vessel came into Onohunga in exactly the same circumstances as the Lothair. Captain Herrold's experiences were then stated in our columns. Several cases, most of which proved fatal, were brought into the Auckland Hospital, and were there treated, and the records of these cases ought to be in existence:. The disease is nob infectious or contagious, and there would be \ no risk in taking the cases on shore for; treatment. It is caused by eating ihnutri- ; tious food, and by confinement and want of cleanliness. Captain Herrold states that it was common on board tho ships which lefb India to convey the Abyssinian Expedition, and which lay for a considerable time in the Red Sen. He was able to keep it out of his vessel by maintaining scrupulous cleanliness In the men's quarters, and by purchasing fresh provisions Whenever he could,

[by telegraph.-press association*) Wellington, Thursday. The Post is informed that it is the intention of the owners of the barque Lothair to sue the New ZealandC overnment for damages for the alleged illegal detention of their vessel, Two medical men have mado an inspection of the barque at the request of the Government, and they agree with the health officer and others who havo examined the sufferers among the crew, that the disease is beriberi, and is hob infectious; bub notwithstanding this opinion they recommend that quarantine conditions should be imposodon the ship. ___________