An epidemic of common infectious jaundice

Abstract

Summary 1.One hundred cases of common infectious jaundice have been observed in an institution for the feeble-minded. A.Seasonal peaks for this epidemic occurred in the fall and winter. B.Preponderant age groups affected were from 10 to 24 years. C.Patients with low imbecile and idiot intelligence were most affected. D.Incidence of jaundice in the static population as compared to the active population showed a ratio of five to one. E.Liver function (galactose tolerance test) was regularly impaired during illness and was still impaired one year after illness in four cases. F.Cultures of stools were negative except for Staph. aureus. G.Biliary drainage was negative except for cultures of Staph. aureus, which probably represented contamination. 2.Conclusion drawn from comparison of facts in this epidemic with statements made in the literature are: A.It is a contagious disease but does not seem necessarily conveyed by droplet infection. B.The incubation period is probably one month. Summary 1.One hundred cases of common infectious jaundice have been observed in an institution for the feeble-minded. A.Seasonal peaks for this epidemic occurred in the fall and winter. B.Preponderant age groups affected were from 10 to 24 years. C.Patients with low imbecile and idiot intelligence were most affected. D.Incidence of jaundice in the static population as compared to the active population showed a ratio of five to one. E.Liver function (galactose tolerance test) was regularly impaired during illness and was still impaired one year after illness in four cases. F.Cultures of stools were negative except for Staph. aureus. G.Biliary drainage was negative except for cultures of Staph. aureus, which probably represented contamination. 2.Conclusion drawn from comparison of facts in this epidemic with statements made in the literature are: A.It is a contagious disease but does not seem necessarily conveyed by droplet infection. B.The incubation period is probably one month.