SUPPLEMENT 703 



skin symptoms have reached their culminating point after three or 

 four days and no fresh complications arise, they only remain for 

 a short while, the effects of scratching and pigment spots being 

 left. 



Kedani, Akaneesch (The Japanese River or Inundation Disease). 



This disease is only known in Japan, and is limited to the 

 neighbourhood of some great rivers on the west coast. The people 

 mostly attacked are those who cut the hemp harvest in the infected 

 localities, occasionally those who transport it or come into contact 

 with it (Looss 1 ). The disease is frequently manifested in the form 

 of indefinite disturbances of the general condition ; it commences 

 generally on the sixth day after the presumed infection with rigors, 

 headaches, feeling of weakness, swelling of the lymphatic glands in 

 the loin or in the arm-pits ; in the periphery a black dry scab is 

 formed. In addition there is an intense conjunctivitis, and added 

 to symptoms of fever an exanthema resembling measles that lasts 

 from four to seven days. There is frequent delirium and difficulty 

 of hearing which persist for a long while. Obstinate constipation is 

 a striking symptom. At the end of a fortnight, earlier in slighter 

 cases, the fever commences to abate and a rapid convalescence sets 

 in. In pregnant women abortion with fatal issue is frequent. With 

 regard to prophylaxis, Baelz 2 recommends as rapid a cultivation of 

 the soil as possible, which has led to a speedy disappearance of 

 the disease in districts where it was once dreaded. Treatment is 

 symptomatic. Japanese do not tolerate antipyretic drugs as well 

 as Europeans. 



Dermanyssus gallinae (avium). 



During the day the resort of bird mites is in the droppings and 

 in the woodwork, etc., of cages in which canaries, crossbills and 

 parrots are kept ; in the crevices of doors, in the chinks between 

 the board planks of bedsteads, so that at night they may seek some 

 domestic animal to suck the blood and so satisfy their hunger. It 

 is by no means rare for young animals, chickens and unfledged 

 pigeons, etc., to perish in consequence of the great loss of blood. 

 This nocturnal habit of life explains why no mites can be found 

 during the day in spite of the most careful examination of the human 

 body, to which they may be transmitted. On the uncovered parts 

 of the body they not only cause severe irritation, but also severe 

 diffuse itching erythema and eczema. Thorough disinfection of the 



1 Looss, " Handbuch d. Tropenkrankh.," v. Mense, p. 195. 

 - Baelz, Virchow's Archiv, Ixxviii. 



