THE ETIOLOGY OF EKIRI, A HIGHLY FATAL DISEASE OF JAPANESE CHILDREN

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Abstract
Ekiri is a disease with high mortality which is prevalent in the hot summer among Japanese children from 2 to 6 yrs. of age. It is characterized by hyperventilation, lethargy or delirium, tonic spasm, vomiting, disturbance of the autonomic nervous system and severe convulsions. Tetany is complicated by bacillary dysentery (Shigella sonnei). Necropsy shows inflammation of the colon. Serum Ca detns. and CO2 tension are low; NPN and serum phosphatase are elevated. Treatment was directed toward alleviating the tetany, infection and dehydration. It is suggested that efforts toward prevention be directed to increasing the Ca in the diet and improving sanitation.

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