44 
seen. The galloping type occurs, and was of considerable interest tu 
us in the year 1905, and again in 1907, because "I its almost epidemi 
character: In these years we noted more casts of beri-beri coming 
from the interior of the State and suburbs of M.rnaos. It hasseemed 
to us that beri-beri is increasing in the city, the suburbs, and the 
interior of the State. 
We have seen no cases in children, though the) said t" occur; 
all our patients having been from eighteen to fc>rt\ years eld. Over 
9 ° per cent, were males. Brazilians are the chiei sufferers from this 
disease, but Portuguese and Spaniards of the labouring class arc a Is.; 
liable to become attacked. 
Ihe better-class foreigner rarely acquires beri beri No doubt 
this is largely due to the housing conditions and their preference fur 
ordinary European diet. 
The Brazilians, so long as they avoid overcrowding, and live in the 
city under hygienic conditions, and partake of a liberal and can - 
diet, remain free from the disease. When the better-class foreigner or 
Brazilian exposes himself by living in overcrowded quarters, annd 
unhygienic surroundings, on a poor and monotonous diet, his physical 
conditionlowered by attacks of malaria, ankylostomiasis or dysentery, 
the possibilities of his acquiring beri-beri are very great. 
We do not intend to discuss the etiology of this disease. The 
following points, however, may be of interest-— 
® 4r “’Tl iS T eqUen ‘ m Pkces wHere *<*’ forms an insignificant 
portion -of;.the diet.* In the gaol, Where 35 per cent, of the deaths 
U.aiSWW Ved «“**<» K-, F.U.G.S. , Beri-beri me. with in 
*• District? 
and Brazil^ tnbutar - v Negro, N.VV. Amazons valley, Colombia 
2- Villages on river or inland? 
Tribe oTndLns?"" " UP ° n i8aiap& leadia S into main stream. 
J£ Guainanos, Tupi Stock. 
PCOPle * and « S ° ^ ^ whiles 
if‘their 1 * ST ° f the whose 
- Vat %er havin & br °ught beri-beri into ^?f tricled ’ nor is there evidence 
5 - Nature of food of natives? the countr y- 
3 
4 
tO : 
