THE DISEASE ON THE LOTHAIR.
A medical gentleman has informed the Napier Telegraph that the mysterious illness from which the crew and passengers on the barque Lothair are suffering is the diseasa generally known as beri-bere, but the Japanese call it Kak-ke. It is found widespread in China, Japan, India, Brazil and the Eastern Archipelago. There are reasons to believe that at one time it was common among the Maoris. The disease is due to a micro-or-ganism, and is acquired by residing in an infected house or locality where the soil is saturated with the poison. It also prevails in the countries named where people are crowded 'together, as : in prisons and barracks, and frequently breaks out on board ship. In one instance of a ship bound from New Zealand to Japan 169 cases were recorded, with 25 deaths. The symptoms begin with weakness in the legs, causing a tottering gait. This is followed by paralysis, which may extend upwards and involve the trunk, death being due to heart failure. Frequently there is dropsy accompanying the paralysis. In acute cases the malady runs a course of six to eight weeks, but occasionally a very acute form prevails -which terminates within a fortnight, death being due to heart failure. In this form the mortality is about 70 per cent.
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Star (Christchurch), Issue 5463, 15 January 1896, Page 3
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218THE DISEASE ON THE LOTHAIR. Star (Christchurch), Issue 5463, 15 January 1896, Page 3
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