252 TYPHOID FEVER. MALTA FEVER 



for the early diagnosis of cases of typhoid fever, 

 especially those cases that appear, at the onset, not 

 severe. 



Malta Fever. 



The specific organism of Malta fever (Mediterranean 

 fever), the bacillus Melitensis, was discovered in 

 1887 by Surgeon- Major David Bruce, of the Army 

 Medical Staff. Its nature and action were proved 

 by the inoculation of monkeys. The use of Widal's 

 reaction is of great value in this disease : — 



"The diagnosis of Malta fever from typhoid is, 

 of course, a highly important practical matter. 

 It is exceedingly difficult in the early stages." 

 (Manson, loc. cit.) 



As with typhoid, so with Malta fever, Netley led 

 the way to the discovery of an immunising serum. 

 In the course of the work, one of the discoverers 

 was by accident infected with the disease : — 



" He was indisposed when he went to Maidstone 

 to undertake antityphoid vaccination, and after 

 fighting against his illness for some days, he was 

 obliged to return to Netley on 9th October. 

 Examination of blood-serum (Widal's reaction) 

 showed that he was suffering from Malta fever. It 

 appears that he had scratched his hand with a 

 hypodermic needle on 17th September, when im- 

 munising a horse for the preparation of serum- 

 protective against Malta fever ; and his blood, when 



