The relationship between endemic elephantiasis of the lower legs and the local soils and climate.

The prevalence of endemic elephantiasis of the lower legs in relation to the red soil on which the barefooted population lives has been investigated. Counts of 43,573 adults attending weekly markets have been made in ten markets of which five were on the red soil, two were on the limits of the soil, and three were at a distance from this area. Prevalence falls from a maximum of 6.92% on the red soil area, to 2.96% at the limit and to 0.98% in two directions within 25 km of the edge of the red soils. There is an association between the degree of prevalence and residence on the red soils. This is discussed and the possibility of a chemical irritant absorbed in colloid form through the bare feet is suggested as an etiological factor in the disease.