AMERICAN LEISHMANIASIS

Abstract

Since the publication in 1914 of McEwen's¹paper entitled "Oriental Sore in the Americas," there has been a good deal of discussion regarding the type of leishmaniasis in the New World. Many investigators are now convinced that it differs sufficiently from the oriental sore of the Old World to warrant its being classed as a separate though closely allied disease. In recent years an extensive literature on American leishmaniasis has appeared, including more or less exhaustive monographs by Laveran,²Escomel³and Inchaustegui.⁴My object in this report is to point out differences between the forms of leishmaniasis mentioned and to cite some personal observations made during a recent trip to Brazil. I am not concerned here with the visceral type of leishmaniasis known as kala-azar and caused by<i>Leishmania donovani</i>. I am interested at present only in the types of leishmaniasis that affect the skin. The