During 1914 and 1915 a considerable number of naval ratings and marines were landed in the West African Expeditionary Force in the Cameroons, and many of them contracted fever, which manifested itself during their shore service or after re-embarking. It was very noticeable in the cases we had the opportunity of observing that marked debility and cachexia was produced. This was doubtless due in part to the excessive heat and general unfavourable climatic conditions and also to the difficulties in obtaining sufficient and suitable food. One of the main causes of fever was malaria, and the infection was generally of the tertian malignant type, but in some blood films quartan parasites were also found. There can be no doubt, however, that the Laverania malarie parasite gave rise to the most frequent, important, and intractable infections that occurred amongst our men. We have to thank Staff Surgeon Verry for many films sent for examination from cases invalided to the Cape (Royal Naval Hospital, Simonstown).
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