Fever, if present. was generally low-grade. Infrequent physical findings
were ataxia, Romberg sign, occasional unequal deep tendon reflexes and
paraesthetic skin areas.
2. The cardinal laboratory finding was pleocytosis, occurring in about
one half of the patients and averaging 530 cells per cubic millimeter of
which eosinophils were found in percentages varying between « and roo
per cent. This together with the symptomatology, is arbitrarily used for
the characterization of an apparently previously undescribed syndrome.
3. Attempts to determine the etiology have included culturing of acute
phase blood and cerebrospinal uid on media for bacteria and fungi, inocu-
lation of mice and monkeys by various routes. No causative agent has
thus tar been demonstrated.
4. Complement-fixation and neutralization tests for viruses of the encephalitides; complement-tixation tests for amoebiasis, filariasis, echinococcosis,
toxoplasmosis
and
trichinosis;
precipitin
tests
for
ascariasis;
agglutinationtests for leptospirosis were all negative.
5. Whether the mosquito is the vector or not was not determined; however, the evidence in favor of its being the agent of transmission is as convincing as the evidence to the contrary.
6. The sequelae, previously ascribed to this disease, such as paralyses and
psychosesare probably not the result of this disease.
7. No disease of a similar character has been reported in theliterature.”
In addition to the work done by the researchinstitutes, naval medical
personnelstationed in the field often conductedresearch in problems
peculiar to their particular areas.
The information gathered was co-
ordinated by the Director of Public Health and made available to all
medical staffs.
Research in nutrition was conducted in 1951 by a qualified food
and nutrition expert *' as part of the Scientific Investigation of Micronesia (SIM) program.’ Investigations were made on Majuro, a
low” island of the Marshalls, from January 18 to May 29 and on
Udot, a “high” island in Truk Atoll, from June 27 to October 8: re-
search analysis was performedat the civil administration dispensaries
and the nutrition laboratory of the University of Hawaii.
The project
had forits specific object a study of the dietary habits and nutritional
status of the inhabitants and the nutrient composition of basic plant and
animal foods. Data was gatheredom: foods eaten, quantities, methods
“ Bailey, ©. A., “An Epidemic ot Fosinophibe Meningits. a Previously Undescribed Disease,
Occurring on Ponape. Eastern Carolines,’ Naval Research Insatute. National Naval Medical
renter, Bethesda, Mars land, Prorcet NM 005 007, Report No. 7. dtd 14 Oct 4. See also HurlNawalMeio Thomas, PE. °An Entomological Survey ot Ponape. Eastern Caroline Islands.”
Wal:
ical Research Institute. Provect NM og 007. Report No. 4. dtd 5 May 48.
ae Miss Mary Murai ot the University of Hawan.
~ MiComTerPacls ftr ser 1256 did 22 May gr.
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