On Relapsing Fever

Fyfe, L. L (1923) On Relapsing Fever. MD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Abstract

SUMMARY It may now be held to be definitely established that Relapsing Fever is due to one or other of the various varieties of the Spirochaeta Reccurentis, all of which are closely allied to the original organism described by Obermeier. Two definitely different types of the disease occur, viz. European Relapsing Fever and African Tick Fever, the spriochaete being transmitted in the former principally by means of the body louse and in the latter by ticks. The main difference between the two varieties of the disease is in the type of the fever evoked. In European Relapsing Fever the fever is of a regular type and duration, terminating by crisis, whereas in African Tick Fever the fever follows an irregular course, is often intermittent in type, and tends to be considerably prolonged. There is nothing very characteristic about the symptoms of this disease and a definite diagnosis can only be made by demonstrating the causal organism in blood films. This is particularly so in the earlier stages of the disease. The principle complications met with are nephritis, neuritis, paralysis, dysenteric symptoms, and iritis, the last two being for the most part associated with the African type of the disease.

• Item Type: Thesis (MD)
• Qualification Level: Doctoral
• Keywords: Medicine
• Date of Award: 1923
• Depositing User: Enlighten Team
• Unique ID: glathesis:1923-81069
• Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
• Date Deposited: 30 Jan 2024 14:46
• Last Modified: 30 Jan 2024 14:46
• URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/81069