The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-08-07

ALlNESS IS the heritage OF the
tropics. but in Porto Rico the alb
IL stract quality has taken a phys
zeal body unto itself in the shape OF the
Uncinaria Americana. or, as it is more
popularity known, the hookworm.
For years, probably centuries, the ma
tives have been subject TO the disease
known as uncinariasis. which takes the
form OF exaggerated anemia. Not until
American doctors entered the island was
the anemia connected with these tiny
parasites.
Big Appropriation Made.
This discovery was all that was nee
essary to raise the fighting spirit of the
Yankee. Upon the recommendation of
Governor Hunt, the Porto Rican as
senbIy voted 5000 to provide for the
maintenance Of a committee Of three
to make a study Of the anemia and the
best treatment Of the cases that exist
IN the island
The results have exceeded the highest
expectations Of the doctors in charge.
Thousands Of natives have been treated,
cured. and dismissed from the hospital
camps in the few months that have in
tervened since the appropriation made
became available. last April
The economic Importance Of the dis
covery OF successful treatment for
anenia appears when it is known that
one-fourth Of the deaths In the island
are due TO this disease; that nearly all
of the cases are confined 70 the laborers
in the fields, and that g per cent of
the population is engaged in agricul
turs.
Personnel of the Commission.
The members Of the commission ap-
pointed by Governor Hunt. and now
in charge Of the hospital work, are DR..
Bailey K. Ashford, captain and assistant
surgeon. Z. S. a; DR.. Walter ". King,
assistant surgeon. Public Health and
Marine Hospital Service; and DR.. Pedro
Gutierrez. a Porto Rican.
The services OF DR. Ashford and Of
Dr. King were given by the Government
Of the United States. The Government
also loaned s. 800 worth Of tents. beds
linen. and utensils. With these means
the commission began work by essab-
fishing a camp at BayamOn. about eight
miles from San Juan. Since then the
camp has been moved to Etuado, and al
present another move Is IN contempia-
ton
Not Long in Ward.
The hospital IS IN reality Il camp. com
posed OF nine tents. with a capacity Of
fifty patients. AS the majority OF the
cases are not retained longer than three
or four days IT is possible 10 handle
hundreds of cases in a very short space
OF time. When the patients are dismiss
sed they are instructed TO return once
week for further examination
Although anernia has been for years
as v-idespread IN Porto Rico as Il Is
today. the cause Of the disease has hith-
erto been ascribed 10 lack OF sufficient
nutrition.
II Is true that the cases OF ancmia
are found almost exclusively among the
poems" the poorer class IN the ISLANDS,
and that the rich are seldom affected,
Nevertheless. the commission has found
that there are few even among the
poems" who do not have sufficient rice,
beans. bananas, and other products OF tbe
fields TO keep body and soul together
The starvation theory IS therefore
thing Of the past among most OF the
medical men Of the island.
There was 10 be sure. much aversion
% the new theory on the part Of some
Of the native doctors. but this has been
entirely overcome IN most cases.
One % the first necessities was 20 calm
the suspicious Of the natives who were
EkepticaI as to the new hospital.
The gratitude Of the patients who have
been cured. and the great number Of
cures. has combined 10 do away with
these ideas. This result the doctors
consider a long step IN the right d'rec-
ton. For with a continuance Of the
treatment there IS every reason 10 sup
pose that this disease which IS now
curtailiug the industry OF the country
By rendering the laboTing class unfit tor
work. Will eventually be almost entirely
done away with
Product of the Soil
The lazy bug" which is causing all
the trouble IS found IN the soil. espe-
cially in the damp earth Of the ban
ana groves. and ABOUT the coffee and
bugar plantations. In the coffee dis