76 
Human Intestinal Infections observed in Malta 
Members of the Nursing Staff, i.e ., Sisters, V.A.D.’s, etc., were mostly 
examined for certificates of health before travelling home through Italy. A 
few, however, were admitted to hospital with acute symptoms. Some of the 
carriers developed sub-acute symptoms after the administration of emetine 
hydrochloride injections and emetine bismuth iodide pills, a condition we have 
often noticed in the treatment of other cases. The pills sometimes produced 
violent diarrhoea, with occasional passage of blood and mucus in which no 
amoebae were present. A similar condition often prevails after treatment 
with large doses of quinine for malaria. 
Forty-six women were examined for infections with E. histolytica, and of 
these nine (19-2 per cent.) were found infected (see Table II). 
As will be seen from Table III the remaining Malta Garrison troops gave 
a very small percentage of infection. They were all admitted with diarrhoea 
and dysentery, but our records show that this was, in a great number of cases, 
of bacillary origin. 
Table III. 
Malta Garrison (1 G.B.N.F., 1 G.B.W. Yorks, R.E., A.S.C., R.A.F.). 
Total No. examined 124. 
Infected with: 
No. 
o/ 
/o 
Entamoeba histolytica ... 
12 
9-6 
Free Amoebae (not determined) 
22 
17-7 
Other Protozoa ... 
32 
25-0 
Twenty-seven of the relatives of these garrison troops were admitted to 
hospital, and of these 24 were females. These, together with the three males, 
gave a percentage of infection with E. histolytica of 22-2 (see Table IV). 
Table IV. 
British Civilians, including Relatives of Garrison Troops, Civil Clerks, etc. 
Total No. examined 27 (Men 3, Women 24). 
Infected with: Men 
No. 
Women 
Total 
0/ 
/o 
Entamoeba histolytica ... ... 1 
5 
6 
22-2 
Free Amoebae (not determined) 2 
4 
6 
22-2 
Other Protozoa ... ... ... — 
9 
9 
33-3 
Section 3 consists wholly of Maltese Garrison troops, and this was the most 
heavily infected class with which we had to deal (see Table V), 27-5 per cent, 
being E. histolytica carriers. An example, giving the result of examination of 
the garrison of a small fort on the coast, will serve to show the prevalence of 
E. histolytica infections among the Maltese. One examination only was made 
in each case. The garrison of this fort, situated on one of the highest points of 
the island, numbered 74 men, of whom eight were sergeants and corporals. 
The remainder were bombardiers and gunners and one trumpeter. Most of 
