2 SLEEPING SICKNESS 



There is a good deal of headache, debility and languor, 

 and vague pains in legs. An interesting feature is the ap- 

 pearance of an erythematous rash, mainly on the chest 

 and back. There is great wasting and enlargement 

 of the glands of the neck. Another interesting feature is 

 puffy swelling of parts of the face and body : this (ede- 

 matous swelling is a particular feature of the diseases 

 of animals, which are, as will be seen, so very closely 

 connected with Sleeping Sickness. 



This condition may go on for years, and has been 

 known to disappear altogether with an apparent cure ; 

 it is known as " Trypanosomiasis." Next comes the 

 stage to which the term " Sleeping Sickness " more 

 properly applies. The drowsiness becomes accentuated, 

 so that the subject takes no interest in his surroundings 

 and does not trouble to eat, though he will eat food 

 if it is brought him, and he is fed. The fever continues 

 irregularly, the eyes become more pufEy, the lips and 

 tongue tremulous, the wasting more and more pro- 

 nounced, until death finally supervenes with the patient 

 in a state of coma. At the last there may be mania 

 and convulsions. 



It has been noticed that natives suffering from Sleeping 

 Sickness appear to feel the cold very acutely, and will 

 often sleep so near to a fire that they inflict severe burns 

 on themselves. This also shows how the senses are dulled, 

 so that one can conclude that they cannot suffer 

 much. 



Death may occur in a few months after the initial 

 fever, but more usually after one to three years. 



The earliest account of Sleeping Sickness which is 

 known in print dates from 1742, and is of considerable 

 interest because it reflects the current medical opinion 

 of the day. 



Dr. E. D, Whittle, in the Malay Medical Journal 

 for April 1911, drew attention to a book by a naval 



