Studies from the Institute for Medical Research, Federated Malay States Volume 8-10 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1906 Excerpt: ... Beri-Beric condition to develop, not only without any definite illness, but without the patient being aware of any illness. Amongst those observed at work and merely showing anaemia of a moderate degree and without any (edema, altered cardiac rhythm, loss of appetite, or epigastric tenderness, there was one case with a loss of the patella reflex. Two weeks later this person was admitted with a mild but definite attack of BeriBeri, the only complaint in the intervening period had been of fever; in another similar case the disease was only diagnosable nine days after my inspection, though the patella reflex was absent when I saw him. In the intervening period there was no definite illness complained of, and in both cases, at the time of inspection, it was stated that the men ate their food well, and had no complaints. These cases had been no more than two months in the country, so that it is probable that they were the first attacks of the disease. Of the Sinkehs examined, four, in whom the patella reflex was absent, and one, in whom it was exaggerated, were admitted for Beri-Beri within two months, and in none of these was there any previous history of the disease or of any gastrointestinal morbid condition at the time of my examination. The probability is that in such cases a mild attack occurs similar to those met with in the gaol, and that it is a recrudescence or relapse for which they seek admission to Hospital: but even in these cases this mild attack is one which shows its only effects on the nervous system, and gives no evidence of a prodromal intestinal or other disease. In connection with these prodromata of what is usually called Beri-Beri, three main questions arise. The first purely of practical value is--(1.) Is there any state of illness prec...