--------------------------------------------------------------------------- DESCRIPTION: A form of bilateral keratoconjunctivitis which causes corneal scarring; at its onset, it resembles conjunctivitis with symptoms of tearing, photophobia, pain, swelling of the eyelids, and superior keratitis; as it passes through four stages, the conjunctival tissues become follicular, heal, and finally scar. Lacrimal glands and ducts are often affected as well; the upper lid may turn inward and the lashes then abrade the cornea; corneal ulceration results, becomes infected, and ultimately scars. When scarring is extensive, blindness results. The disease is spread by contact; flies and gnats may also transmit it. TREATMENT: If treated early (with antibiotics, usually tetracycline drugs or sulfonamides), the prognosis is excellent. Untreated, it can cause blindness. IMPLICATIONS: This disease is one the earliest recorded eye diseases; it was identified as early as the 27th century B.C. It is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, and afflicts over 400 million people (primarily in underdeveloped countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia). It is preventable with adequate diet, proper sanitation, and education. It is rare in the United States. |
| So what's Trachoma??? |
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| The Austro-Hungarian Army decided to concentrate all Trachoma infected soldiers into special batallions destined to be deployed on the front-line in high mountain areas, where air and climate were supposedly healthier and the risk of spreading of the illness was much lower. One of these units, the I.R. I/102 (all Czechs) fought on the mountains surrounding Borgo Valsugana (modern North Italy). They were obligated to remain in their positions all year long, an not allowed to go to the rear for any reason.They were "condemned" to live and die on in the trenches. Not even the seriously ill ones were allowed to leave the front: doctors were supposed to go and treat them there. They left a lot of construction on the mountains that they defended: stone trenches, tunnels, barracks, huts, and even inscriptions. |
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