Pellagra and Some Allied Conditions

To trace the history of pellagra is exceedingly difficult although it is probable that the disease has been prevalent since ancient times. The term, pellagra, is derived from two Italian words, pelle, skin, and agra, rough. In the past there have been many synonyms for this disease, among which are Alpine scurvy, Asturian leprosy, Asturian rose, Disease of the Landes, Maidismus psycho-neurosis Maidica, Mal de la Rosa, Mal del Sole, Mal de Misere, Mal de Padrone, etc. Perhaps the earliest recognition of the disease was that of the authorities of the Hospital Major of Milan in I578 who treated it under the title of pellarella. It was Frapolli who in I760 bestowed the name pellagra upon the sickness. The earliest records of the disease are associated with the consumption of maize. As early as i6oo Barnino described an illness among certain tribes of the American Indians which he related to maize and which answers to the description of pellagra. Shortly after, in Italy, Fransisco Scipio described a similar disease even more fully. The first recognition of pellagra in Spain was in I68o-I700 coincident with the introduction of corn to that country. To Gaspar Casal must be given the credit for the first scientific description of the disease. Casal studied it in the vicinity of Oviedo in I735 under the name "Mal de rosa." In I760 it was named pellagra by Frapolli, and by I776 its spread in Italy had become so great that in Venice legislative measures were taken to prohibit the sale or exchange of ill-smelling, ill-tasting, or discolored corn. Since I839 the various European governments have been well aware of the importance of the disease and various measures have been taken to cope with the situation. Every nation of Europe, including England, has had its experience with pellagra. It must be admitted, however, that in the countries of the temperate zones the disease has made less headway than in the warmer climates.