Acute toxic hypoglycaemia occurring in the vomiting sickness of Jamaica: morbid anatomical aspects

ABSTRACT

Seven autopsies and one clinical case of a syndrome known as the Vomiting Sickness of Jamaica are described. In these cases hypoglycaemia was associated with fatty metamorphosis of the liver and other organs, tissue oedema, and ailmentary lymphoid hyperplasia. During the acute phase biopsies and post mortem material show a depletion of liver glycogen. Evidence is presented that restoration can take place by intravenous glucose therapy. The mechanism of the change is discussed and it is suggested that the defect may be one of deficient gluconeogenesis. (AU)