Racial trends of the negro and white in certain surgical diseases

Diet: Its Role in the Genesis of Peptic Ulceration

“…Records suggest that prior to the 1930s it was uncommon in the black popula tion of North America [11][12][13], but after 1940 the incidence rate became similar to that of the white population. As in England and Scotland the overall incidence has fallen in the USA [14][15][16][17][18][19], especially in men, since 1955 but seems to be remaining steady in most of Europe and Scandinavia [20][21][22][23][24],…”

Abdominal Emergencies in the Negro

“…Although it is stated by Maes and McFetridge (1936) that “the incidence of carcinoma of the intestine does not differ materially in the negro and white races”, experience in the West Indies over the last few years leads one to the impression that the disease is rare in the negro. I have not had to deal with a single case of acute intestinal obstruction from a carcinoma of the large bowel.…”

“…The increased severity of the disease in the negro has also been noted. Maes and McFetridge (1936) state that in the U.S.A. the negro exhibits a severer and more advanced type of disease with a higher mortality. Over‐dosage with cathartics has been blamed for this by Tashiro and Zinniger (1946), who claim that perforation of the appendix in the negro is 11 per cent commoner.…”

“…The incidence of gallbladder disease in the negro is low (Maes and McFetridge, 1936), and it is said that he has a true racial immunity (Bloch, 1926). However, the high incidence of sickle‐cell anaemia in the negroes of the Caribbean results in cholelithiasis which is found in a much younger age group than in Europeans.…”