572 TROPICAL HYGIENE, SANITATION, ETC. 



Pellagra. — In all probability another deficiency disease about the 

 cetiology of which there is still much disagreement. See article on 

 same for details. 



Lathyrism is caused by eating the Lathyrus sativus, a vetch used 

 as a grain at famine times by the poor of India. The toxin affects the 

 pyramidal tracts of the cord. 



Ergotism is produced by the mycelial fungus, Claviceps purpurea, 

 in rye. It causes sclerosis of the posterior columns of the cord and 

 stimulation of the vasomotor centre. 



Beriberi, Pellagra, Lathyrism and Ergotism are somewhat allied 

 in symptomatology, all producing nervous affections, the three latter 

 affecting the spinal cord. 



The subject mav also be considered from the point of view of the 

 causative agent thus : — 



Milk, when decomposed, forms lacto-toxin or tyro-toxin, producing 

 outbreaks of nausea, vomiting, dry mouth and fauces, diarrhoea, 

 cramps and collapse. 



Infected milk disseminates Undulant fever, Cholera, Typhoid 

 fever, Dysentery and Tuberculosis. 



Meat when decomposed and infected produces a diarrhoea of a 

 choleraic nature with vomiting, cramps, headache, prostration, &c., 

 due to organisms of the Gaertner group, principally B. enteritidis, 

 B. botulinus, and B. enteritidis sporogenes. 

 Infective conditions are produced when : — 

 Tcenice are found in beef, mutton, pork and dog meat. 

 Trichincp in "measly" pork. 

 Strongylus filaria in the lungs of sheep. 

 Distoma hepaticurn in the liver of sheep and cattle. 

 Ccenurus cerehralis in the brain of sheep and cattle. 

 Watercress may contain the encysted forms of trematodes, ova and 

 bacteria of Enteric, Cholera and Dysentery. This is particularly so 

 when the garden has been tended by a Chinaman. 



Fresh fish and shell fish mav acquire poisonous properties when 

 spawning, while other fish in the tropical seas are unsafe owing to 

 their feeding on poisonous medusae and corals. 



Oysters have been responsible for Cholera in India and Typhoid 

 fever in man\' parts. 



Canned fresh herrings and sardines have been found to yield a 

 metallic tin content in the fish of from 2-5 grains per pound (Everitt 

 Atkinson). 



THE EXAMINATION OF MEATS. 

 Good fresh meat should be firm, elastic, not tough, should not pit 

 on pressure. Thin red meat juice .should exude from it on standing. 

 It should be red throughout, not pale, purple, or green in parts. 



