title: [Bouillaud's disease in Martinique. Epidemiological and nosological features].
abstract: From the epidemiological point of view there does not appear to be any particular geographical pattern of this disease. Indeed, it is poor living conditions, low family income, large family size and poor oro-dental hygiene which are responsable for the outbreak of small familial epidemics of acute rheumatic disease of the joints; from the clinical point of view, acute rheumatic joint disease presents no particular features in the Antilles. All the characteristics described in the classical works are found, including the malignant form, whose rarity is emphasised. A programme of prevention of rheumatic disease has yet to be started in the Antilles, and we feel that it should be a three-pronged attack: 1. More information to the general public on the necessity for rapid treatment of the symptoms; 2. Increased vigilance by the medical services in the fight against this disease of deprivation, and close collaboration with the social services; 3. Finally, the setting up of a specialised social cardiology service to supervise the young rheumatic patients, and to ensure that they are educated. Such arrangements would avoid the disorganisation sometimes experienced by the families and friends; it must be admitted that we sometimes have to prevail upon the family to allow the child to be transferred to a centre of social cardiology on the continent so that the young rheumatic patient may receive training for a career which is compatible with his or her handicap.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003731:Dental Caries / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008395:Martinique; D009910:Oral Hygiene; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000150:complications; D012213:Rheumatic Fever / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000150:complications; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects
vernacular_title: La maladie de Bouillaud en Martinique. Aspects épidémiologiques et nosologiques