ASIATIC RELAPSING FEVER; REPORT OF 134 CASES TREATED WITH MAPHARSEN

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Abstract
The patients in this series were Chinese soldiers treated in a U. S. Army hospital in Assam, India. All were suffering from relapsing fever caused by Spirochaeta recurrentis. Mapharsen proved to be an effective drug and best results were obtained when 2 injns., each 0.04 gm., were given 3-5 days apart. Toxic reactions were rare, of no lasting consequence and occurred only when large doses (0.06 gm.) were administered. Mapharsen should be given at the outset of the febrile attack and never during, immediately before, or after the crisis. The mortality of 12% for the series was not considered high because of the poor nutrition of the patients, most of whom were in a semi-starvation state. The author suggests that the pain and weakness in the lower extremities, which is so common in Asiatic relapsing fever, may be on the basis of a myelitis produced by S. recurrentis.

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