Sleeping Sickness 



emaciated that he is a mere mass of bones. He lies 

 down on his side obHvious to everything around him, 

 returning to partial consciousness. The sixth month 

 brings him fresh evils in the shape of ulcers, but so 

 deeply lethargic has he become that he heeds them 

 not, continuing to lie passive until a merciful death 

 supervenes. 



Such then is this terrible scourge called sleeping 

 sickness, though actually the patient sleeps very 

 little more than he would ordinarily do; but his 

 lethargic attitude imparts to him a dormant appear- 

 ance. 



The manner of dealing with the disease may 

 vary, but I believe it is more or less as follows: — 

 First, it is necessary to ascertain, by examination of 

 the blood, whether the patient has been infected. 

 If so, a couple of doses of arsenophenylycin in small 

 quantities is administered. If this has no effect, 

 then atoxyl must be resorted to. This latter, un- 

 fortunately in some cases where a cure has been 

 obtained in the early stages, has also caused blindness. 

 If the native is cured, he is still obliged to remain 

 under observation, and to report himself at stated 

 intervals for re-examination. Once the sickness has 

 obtained a firm hold no known remedy can save the 

 man, although death may be staved off for a time. 



A victim in a state of coma sometimes displays 

 peculiar symptoms almost cataleptic. For instance, 

 he will stop in the act of feeding himself, or if 

 yawning and stretching his arms, he will suddenly 

 leave them stretched out. 



99 



