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20
BERI-BERI.
The recent Norwegian Commission inquiring into this somewhat mysterious
disease has defined it as the Oriental name for an inflammation of the nerves,
due to toxin poisoning by tainted vegetable or animal food-stuffs.
The inquiries of the Royal Commission on Arsenical Poisoning, into the
relation between Beri-beri and poisoning by arsenic, found the evidence
insufficient to establish any connection, although in some instances traces of
arsenic were found in preserved fish and food supplied to vessels making
long voyages.
It is probable that true Beri-beri is quite distinct from the symptoms
produced by arsenical poisoning.
During the course of the inquiry, the Commissioners were supplied through
your Medical Officer with information of cases of Beri-beri on vessels arriving
in the Port of London, with, when possible, samples of the food-stuffs used,
or in use, by the persons affected.
At the termination of the inquiry, the following letter was sent by the
Secretary to the Royal Commission to the Town Clerk:—
Royal Commission on Arsenical Poisoning,
"8, Delahay Street, Westminster, S.W.
"25th June, 1903.
" Sir,
" I am directed by Lord Kelvin to inform you that, as the Commission
are now terminating their inquiry, it will no longer be necessary to
" ask that information and samples in the case of ships arriving at the
" Port of London with cases of Beri-beri on board should in future be
" sent to them.
" I am to add at the same time that the Commission have greatly
" appreciated the assistance which has been given them in their inquiry
" by the Port Medical Officer of Health and his Staff, and I am directed
" to express their thanks to the Port of London Sanitary Authority for
" the various data and material which have kindly been supplied to
" them during the past year.
"I am, Sir,
" Your obedient Servant,
" The Town Clerk, " (Signed) G. J. BUCHANAN.
" (Port of London Sanitary Authority,)
" Guildhall, E.C."