Ankylostomiasis and Its Control in North Nyasa

Watson, William Henderson (1932) Ankylostomiasis and Its Control in North Nyasa. MD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

Ankylostomiasis, as a disease of primary importance in the health of a population, was brought forcibly to my notice during two tours of service between 1926 and 1931, when I was a medical officer in the East African Medical Service stationed at Karonga in the North Nyasa district of Nyasaland. In this district, as compared with the rest of Nyasaland, Hookworm Infestation was heavy, and there were indications that it was increasing. It is a commonplace that Hookworm Infestation is a cause of lowered resistance, and, during the practical work of treating other conditions, this relationship became so obvious that it was apparent that any measures adopted to reduce this infestation would be of incalculable benefit to the health of the community. Upon these grounds I started investigations, and this thesis is the outcome. Briefly its scope is: An enquiry into the local conditions which make Hookworm infestation a disease of major importance in Karonga. The determination of the incidence of the infestation, and, by the examination of the haemoglobin content of the blood of the people, to gauge the heaviness of the infestation and its effect upon the health of the community. To show the value of mass treatment as a means of reducing the disease to negligible proportions. By a careful watoh on the haemoglobin value of the blood of the people, to determine when the infestation has increased sufficiently to merit another mass treatment campaign. To propose the application of this simple method of dealing with Hookworm infestation to other districts where the problem of this disease exists.

• Item Type: Thesis (MD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Medicine, Epidemiology, South African studies, Parasitology
• Date of Award: 1932
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1932-79939
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 31 Mar 2020 09:09
• Last Modified: 31 Mar 2020 09:09
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/79939