Schistosoma japonicum, and the problem of schistosomiasis in India

It may be stated in conclusion that the position with regard to this wide spread disease has improved considerably during the past few years. In spite of the profound pathological changes it produces in the bodies of hyper- infected people, thanks to the efforts of the various investigators, the future is definitely hopeful, and as the sanitary and educational conditions,in the endemic areas improve schistosomjasis should slowly disappear.In Nouadin we have a reliable and safe specific for the disease, but it falls short of being the ideal drug. It is hoped that before long a drug will be found which can be administered orally, and is cheap enough for employment on a large scale.From the data available, and the results of the author's investigations in Bombay, it would appear that this disease most probably does not affect the human beings in this country.It is possible that the snails found in this country, though Morphologically allied to those found in some of the endemic areas, are not suitable for the development of the larvae of the schistosome worms which attack man. Until such time, when this can be proved by experimental work in various parts of the country, the possibility of the introduction, and spread of schistcsomiasis can not be ignored.In the event of the disease making its appearance in any part of the country, active prophylactic measures, on the lines laid down, will have to be employed to pret vent its spread. If, on the other hand, the disease is 234, once allowed to establish itself to any extent in this . country, the problem of control may assume a greater magnitude than it does in countries like China and Egypt. It is therefore the duty of the State, and the medical profession in general to see that schistosomiasis does not add itself to the already long list of the public health problems of India