Upon the Plan or Yaws, a Disease of Tropical Climates. By M.
Guyon.—This eruptive disease, called, from the raspberry-like color of
the spots, frambaesia, appears to be contagious, and transmissible from
generation to generation. Its transmissibility by inoculation is proved
by the fact, that it has been conveyed from the tropical regions of Ame-
rica to Africa, doubtless by infected negroes landing from ships trading
between the two countries. In Algeria, the native physicians consider
it to be a sort of syphilis, and treat it as such. They direct, for forty
days, a strict system of diet, under which the disease disappears, but it
returns as soon as the patient reverts to his usual habits. From this
fact, M. Guyon concludes, that the apparent cure is but a phenomenon
connected with the general emaciation and disappearance of the scft
parts.
In the Antilles, the treatment of yaws is entrusted to negroes, the
same class of men who profess to cure serpent bites. They administer
decoction of sarsaparilla and sulphate of ammonia. Some physicians, it
is said, have tried with good effect mercurials combined with tisanes of
guaiacum and sarsaparilla. The usual duration of the disease is four to
five months. We require further investigations respecting it.—London
Medical Times.