Distribution of Tropical Diseases in Africa. 465 
rain or well water being rarely affected. On examining the 
urine in these cases, it will be found to deposit a layer 
of dirtyish white flocculent matter containing short filaments 
of 135th of an inch in diameter, of a brownish colour and 
soft consistence. Microscopically, pus corpuscles are seen, 
and filamentous bodies containing great numbers of bright, 
highly refractive bodies imbedded in them. These bodies 
are the ova of the bilharzia. Stone in the bladder is not 
infrequently caused by the ova; the ova in the bladder 
become imbedded in a plug of hard mucus, and so form 
the nucleus of a stone. 
Prophylactic Treatment.—After bathing in districts where 
this disease prevails, the skin should be thoroughly and 
very vigorously rubbed with a very rough towel. Filter 
and boil all drinking water. All raw salads and molluscous 
animals ought to be excluded from the diet. It is also 
essential to remove persons from the locality in which it is 
believed they have contracted the disease. 
Treatment.—The patient must be well fed, must take 
moderate exercise, use cold baths and take tonics, either the 
mineral acids or the citrate of iron and quinine. Vesicle 
irritation must be subdued by the use of bicarbonate of 
potash and infusion of buchu. Hemorrhage may be checked 
by uva ursi combined with small quantities of hyoscyamus, 
or hamamelis is very useful. Sometimes the injection of 
iodide of potassium, 3 to 5 grains to the ounce of water— 
and retention in the bladder for three hours—is beneficial. 
If the kidneys are affected, quassia, or the extract -of 
male fern, should be administered. It is possible also 
that the following prescription may be given three times 
a day with advantage,— 
RK. Bicarbonate of soda, 15 grs. 
Chian turpentine, 10 grs. 
Acacia mixture, 2 drs. 
Chloroform water to 1 oz. 
to which opium may be added if there is much pain or 
irritation in the urinary passages. 
