New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-05-01
STAMPING OUT ANAEMIA.
Good Results Obtained by Porto
Rican Commission.

San Juan, p r.. April 10 (speciaD.-Ths inSulaY
government OF Porto Rico. aided by the United
States army authorities has apparently gained a
firm hold upon the greatest curse OF the island
anRmia- When the Legislative Assembly adjourned
a month ago It had passed a bill covering recon-
mendations made in Governor Hunts message ap-
propriatng 5000, ana providing for the appoint
ment Of commission Of three to study the causes
OF anemia IN Porto Rico. and suggest, II possible
means for the eradication of the disease which
afiicts majority OF the Islands rural population
Governor Hunt appointed members OF the com
mission Dr. Bailey K. Ashford, captain and as
sistant surgeon, U. S. A; W. W. King assistant
surgeon. Public Health and Marine Hospital Ser
vice. and DR.. Pedro Gutierrez. native physician.
The new anemIa commission, Es It IS generally
called. Immediately began work by establishing
hospital camp at Bayamon few miles from San
Juan. The United States government gave the SER
vices OF Drs Ashford and King. and also loaned to
the commission $500 worth Of tents. etc. The
municipal hospital authorities OF Bayamon are CO.
operating. and several native physicians have given
valuable assistance Fifty patients can be cared
for in the tents and more than five hundred have
been treated in the last month.
Already the treatment given is meeting with most
gratifying results, and the commission seems to
have proved that anamia is resultant from con-
tact with infected soil and that agricultural work
rarely escape infection. AS in Porto Rico 60
per cent of the population are engaged in agri-
culture the state of their health has important
bearing On economic conditions. Nearly one-fourth
of the deaths in the island are from anaemia
CAUSE OF THE DISEASE
Drs. Ashford and King have made long and
careful study Of the disease in Porto Rico, treating
more than thousand cases. and arc convinced
that anamia is caused by the presence OF tiny
parasites. which destroy the coorng matter Of the
blood. dissolvng 1t by a poison. Heretofore the
cries have been that the parasite is blood sucker
and draws the vital elements from the blood, and
that an@mia is chronic Indigestion caused by the
Inflammation OF the mucous membrane through
bites of the parasite
The treatment at Bayamon is simple Micro
scopio tests at reveal the presence Of the
work. Thymol is used vermifuge to expel the
parasites. One came in a dying condition to
the camp and he tainted on the hospital porch.
The first blood test showed the hemaglobin reduced
to 26 per cent Last week it had risen TO so per
cent. and the is practically restored to health
In every instance there is daily rise after treat
ment has been begun. An exhaustive clinical rec
ord OF all cases is kept by the commission
The poor natives come in many instances from
the distant barrios and are well nigh exhausted
when they reach the camp. The patients range in
age from eight to eighty years.
1t is the purpose OF the commission to send to
every health officer Of Porto Rico report of all
the experiments. and to urge cooperation and uni
form treatment in all parts Of the island. Unless
native assistance is obtained the work of eradicat
ing the disease will be slow especially in the coffee
districts where it is most prevalent. Some of the
Porto Rican doctors not inclined to adopt read
lily American methods Of practice.
THE NUMBERS NEEDING TREATMENT.
A few of the conclusions OF students OF the
snaena question in Porto Rico will show the impor-
lance Of the experiments now being made. General
George W. Davis, the new Governor Of the Panama
Canal strip and formerly military governor OF Porto
Rico said in a report: at is a conservative esti-
mate to place the laborng classes at 100000 souls
who do not own q rood OF land or possess property
Of any kind, except a miserable cabin or matched
hut and a few Insignificant articles OF household
goods. These comprise what is known to-day
1ibaros' or poems" DR.. Ashford says that this
class Furnished the most cases OF anRmia: that II
iE his firm belief that 30 per cent Of them living out
side OF the larger cities are infected with the
site, and that 75 per cent OF those infected show
decided symptoms In the cities II IS less COM
Rice live IA towns Of more than 5000 inhabitants.
clean hands, che use q dirty soiled utensils and
clothtnR md Gha aF4nktaG o9 muddy water
aome "a ~ many pPetiho eausas OF infection. To
these may Be ADDED generally bad sanitation an
utter Lack o. uerEenaI hygiene. density OF popula-
ton, Topography sRvorRble % the spread OF Larvae
~ heavy rama, and many habits Oonuuctve 20 IN
4S0toR EoW basas.as07 Sound GnonG the better