﻿OBSERVATIONS ON MANGO RASH 



By ISABBXO CONCEPCION 



(From the Department of Physiology, College of Medicine and Surgery, 



University of the Philippines) 



INTRODUCTION 



It is a common belief among the people of the Philippine Islands 

 that the transient rashes of erythematous type occurring during 

 the hot season are caused by the eating of mangos {Mangifera 

 indica L.). However, there is no definite evidence to indicate 

 that the mango is the causative agent. It has long been re- 

 cognized that strawberries, crustaceans, and oysters are the 

 etiologic factors in certain urticarias and other rashes, local 

 cedemas, etc. These substances seem even to be able to exercise 

 an influence on the nursing baby through the milk of the 

 mother.^ 



The object of the present study is to find out whether the 

 mango in the Philippines is really a responsible factor for some 

 of these transient rashes occurring so commonly from April to 

 July. At the same time observations were made to ascertain if 

 this fruit has any influence on the nursing baby through the milk 

 of the mother. 



Four newly delivered nursing mothers in the obstetrical ward 

 of the Philippine General Hospital were chosen and were fed 

 usually six mangos daily with their meals. Careful attention 

 was given to select patients who were free from skin rashes. 

 Daily observations were made on both mother and baby, partic- 

 ularly as to the development and disappearance of rashes ; sub- 

 jective symptoms were noted carefully. Purgatives were given, 

 when necessary, to eliminate intestinal auto-intoxication as far 

 as possible. It may be stated that both mother and baby were 

 sleeping under mosquito nets so that mosquito bites were prac- 

 tically excluded. 



* Firmin observed urticaria in an infant whose nursing mother had 

 partaken of oysters and fish. Cited from Pfaundler and Schlossman, Dis- 

 eases of Children, translated by H. L. N. Shaw and L. La Fetra. J. B. 

 Lippincott Company, New York (1908), 4, 443. 



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