Scientist Brings Miracle Drug

New War Against Filariasis

French Oceania Starts Campaign :: Famous Scientist Brings Miracle Drug

Special Article By Our Tahiti Correspondent

AS a result of the visit to French Oceania of Dr. Galliard, an eminent French scientist, and of a united effort by leaders in French Oceania, directed by the Governor (M. Maestracci) there are prospects that the scourge of Polynesia, Filariasis (or Elephantiasis) will be brought under control, and per haps wiped out.

The Pacific Islands are divided, roughly, into east and west by the 180th degree of Longitude. Westwards of that line, there is much malaria, but little filaria.

Eastwards of the line, there is no malaria, but a great deal of filaria.

In proportion to population, filaria is not nearly so common as malaria, and perhaps it does not kill to the same ex tent. But nonetheless it causes a great deal of sickness, and the horrible dis figurements called Elephantiasis (a grotesque swelling of the limbs and organs, generally of the lower part of the body) have been seen by every traveller in Polynesia.

Like malaria, filaria is introduced to the human body by the bite of a mos quito. A knowledge of the history of the disease has been acquired only in recent years. It is caused by a minute para sitical worm which blocks up the lymphatic glands. It does not appear that a casual bite from an infected mos quito will permanently infect a human being—the latter seems to acquire the disease seriously only when he is “bom barded” —when he lives under conditions which subject him to frequent, repeated attacks by the mosquito. Once having acquired the disease, a cure seems to be difficult. But the disease can be checked if the sufferer removes to a colder climate.

Filaria seems to become more general, as one moves eastward. It is known, but is not common, in Fiji. Cases are more frequent in Samoa and Cook Islands. Filaria is common in French Oceania, where perhaps 75 per cent, of the people are affected.

DR. GALLIARD is Professor of Para sitology in the University of Paris, and is a recognised world authority on Filariasis. He gave the medical world much new and valuable informa tion when, as French delegate, he at tended the International Congress on Tropical Maladies in Washington in May, 1948. His arrival in Tahiti a few months ago is an important event in the history of the French Colony.

With Governor Maestracci in the lead, the heads of all the communities of French Oceania rallied to welcome and assist the Professor, and to promise co operation in every possible way.

Dr. Galliard has suggested that the campaign should shape in three practical directions. He urged the creation in French Oceania of an organisation to combat the Filaria mosquito, and thus reduce infection to a minimum; the establishment in Papeete of a centre for the expert, scientific study of the disease; and an invitation to the medical or ganisations of all Pacific Territories in the filaria area to co-operate with the Papeete centre in fighting the disease.

Very practical help came early in a generous donation from an American, Mr. William Robinson, who some years ago circumnavigated the globe in his cutter “Svaap,” and who has settled

in Tahiti. As a result of Mr. Robinson’s help, it became possible not only to estab lish in Papeete “the Medical Research Institute of Oceania,” but also to equip it properly. On July 24, the foundation stone of the Institute was laid by Gov ernor Maestricci, in a ceremony at which Dr. Galliard was an honoured guest, and which was attended by representatives of practically every institution in French Oceania.

The Institute will deal generally with tropical disease, but Filariasis will be given particular attention in the well equipped laboratory.

The President of the Chamber of Com merce, M. Albert Leboucher. in a speech, described the good that would be achieved if we could check the disease. He de scribed the economic loss caused because the natives in French Oceania suffer heavily from it—they call it “fifi.”

Medical-Colonel Bonneaud, head of the Health Department, said the new In stitute will be spacious and modern; and the medical men of all countries in terested—he referred especially to Britain, United States, Australia and New Z-ealand —would be very welcome visitors there, a t the invitation of the Governor, rep- A resentatlves ol most of the chief institutions in French Oceania as sembled in conference, to discuss anti filaria measures, on August 4.

Dr Galliard was introduced formally by colonel Bonneaud, head of the Health Department Dr Galliard, in simple, non-scientlfic language, described how the disease is transmitted, and said that if the people WOU ld co-operate in clearing out the mos quitoes, they would stop the infection hlch alrea J dy , has aff £ted two-thirds of the population of French Oceania, A large proportion of the people now ied the disease in their blood, said p ro fessor; and they, of course, had only to be bitten by mosquitoes to be come a potential source of infection to others. But a great step forward would he taken if this reservoir of infection wer q destroyed. And it could be de stroyed. There was available a new drug, Hetrazan, which was taken through the mouth, and which within seven days would destroy the parasites in the blood stream. This drug, even in high doses, was no t toxic, and would not harm the organs. In fact, said Dr. Galliard, the action of the drug was miraculous, and they had great hopes that by its use, combined with an attack upon the mos quitoes’ carriers, the filaria disease could he W i pe d out or very markedly reduced, The professor then when on to advise all i oC al bodies as to the best ways to c i ear out the mosquito. All vegetation around the houses, wherein the mosquito re poses during the day, should be cleared a way. There must be no stagnant water permitted—this was the breeding-place of t h e insects, of course. All the usual anti-mosquito measures must be em ployed. Finally, by education and instruc tion, they must get the goodwill and co operation of the natives in these matters, The fight against Filariasis was a dif ficult and complex thing, he said, calling for the co-operation of every department of public administration; but, properly directed and maintained, there was no reason why it should not be completely successful in the Pacific Islands.

THE war against “the scourge of the eastern Pacific” lias been happily and successfully launched by Dr. Galliard.

We hope that it will be strongly main tained.

Accompanied by Dr. Mille (who is as sistant to Colonel Bonneaud, and in charge of the new laboratory and of the anti-filaria campaign) Dr. Galliard left Tahiti for Fiji by the “Awahou” late in August.

Dr. Galliard has returned to Paris, and Dr. Mille is now engaged in a special study of the anti-filaria methods em ployed by the Medical Department in Fiji.