[A child with kuru, a fatal nervous system disorder]

[A child with kuru, a fatal nervous system disorder]

Collection:
Images from the History of Medicine (IHM)
Language(s):
English
French
Format:
Still image
Subject(s):
Child
New Guinea
World Health Organization.
Abstract:
A child, half-length, standing, naked to the waist; he is a member of the Fore, a primitive tribe living in the Eastern Highlands of New Guinea. Verso: WHO/9600. New Ginea.Kuru. Kuru does not abandon its prey. kuru is a disease which has only been found among the Fore, a primitive tribe living in the Eastern Highlands of the Trust Territory of New Guinea. The disease is still a mystery to modern medicine no treatment or remedy for it is known. It inevitably leads to death usually less than a year after onset. The victims start shivering ans trembling, they jerk their heads to and fro and their faces are occasionally distorted by spasms. There seems little doubt that Kuru has a genetic base. It appears to be a degenerative disorder of the centeral nervous system, in some ways similar to multiple sclerosis. The doctors are impotent against kuru. Under their very eyes, the diseases inevitably leads to death. The child in this photograph is condemed, he has lost the use of his limbs and can no longer eat. Kuru prevents him from swollowing.
Copyright:
This item may be under copyright protection; contact the copyright owner for permission before re-use.
Copyright Information:
World Health Organization; World Health Organization website
Extent:
1 photoprint.
NLM Unique ID:
101436965 (See catalog record)
NLM Image ID:
A013635
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101436965