The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-11-10

In Peoria.
Columbia, Nov. 4.-The National
Association for the Study and Preven-
tion Of Pellagra was formally organi-
zed here tonight at the conclusion of
a two days conference on pellagra at
tended by more than three hundred
physicians, the first meeting Of ma
tional scope held in this country for
the study Of the disease. DR.. J. w.
Babcock. superintendent Of the South
Carolina Hospital for the Insane was
elected president Of Association; Or.
VIM. A. White, Supt. Of the United
States Hospital for the Insane, Wash
ington, d. c., vice president, and DR..
George A. Zeller, superintendent Of
the State Hospital for the Insane, Pc
oria, Ills, secretary-treasurer, Later,
a vice president for each State inter-
ested in the movement will be named.
The first annual Pellagra Congress
to be held under the auspices Of the
Association is scheduled for June,
1910. in Peoria, ILL.,, which city was
chosen without a contest.
The Association following the pre-
sentation Of forty odd addresses and
papers by men Of prominence in the
medical profession. covering a wide
range of investigation OF pellagra in
the United States and foreign coun-
tries, unanimously adopted the fol
lowing resolutions, presented by DR.. J.
Howell Way, Of the North Carolina
board Of health.
Resolved. That this conference rec
ogaizes the widespread existence Of pei
lagra in the United States, and urge
upon the national government the ne
cessity Of bringing it's powerful re-
sources to bear upon the vital ques-
tions Of its cause, prevention and con-
troll.
Resolved, That while sound corn is
In no way connected with pellagra,
evidences of the relation between the
use of spoiled corn and the prevalence
OF pellagra seem go apparent that we
advise continued and systematic study
Of the subject. and. in the meantime,
we commend to corn growers the great
Importance Of fully maturing corn
upon the stalk before cutting the
same.
Resolved. That the work Of this
conference be brought to the attention
Of the various State and Territorial
boards Of health and they severally be
urged to specially investigate the dis
ease. particularly as regards its prev
alence, and that they also see the
proper inspection of corn products
sold in the various States be had
In another resolution DR.. Babcock
was recognized las the father Of the
movement for the study and control
Of pellagra in America"
One Of the most interesting address,
es OF the conference was. delivered 20
night by DR.. Sara A. Castle, Of M. :.
dian, Miss, who made the somewhat
startling statement that of the many
cases of pellagra which she had treat
ed since it was first recognized in Me-
ridian. six Of the patients were social
ly prominent in the city and five of
these died. IT is r-Ct necessarily a dis
ease confined to the poor, according
to prevailing popular impression, de-
clared DR.. Castle. All Of her patients
were eaters Of corn bread and grits
She stated also that several Of her
hookworm patients subsequently de-
veloped pellagra and died.
DR.. j. NJ. Buchanan, OF the State
Hospital. Meridian, Miss, addressed
the Conference on the treatment of
cases in that institution.