TREATMENT OF ACUTE AND CHRONIC BRUCELLOSIS (UNDULANT FEVER)

Abstract

In 1859 Marston1described a disease syndrome which he named Mediterranean or gastric fever. In 1886 Bruce2isolated an organism, which he called Micrococcus melitensis, from the spleen of a patient who was a victim of this disease. In 1897 Bang3isolated the organism which is the recognized cause of contagious abortion in cows. This organism is now called Brucella abortus. In 1914 Traum4isolated an organism which is now called Brucella suis, from the fetus of an aborting sow. Thus, three strains of Brucella now have been recognized. In 1918 Evans5suggested that these organisms were very closely related, both serologically and bacteriologically, and that Brucella abortus in all probability could infect man. In 1924 Keefer6isolated Brucella suis from a so-called case of Malta fever, and in 1925 Duncan7first isolated Brucella abortus from man. It would be impossible to state