The Nashville globe. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1906-193?, 1909-08-13

the earnest attention of the GuthOri-
ties of UdriouS States, and the public
health SerUice of the United States
The alarming spread OF
the disease in the last tt0O gears
has made it topic for general dis
caSSion in the public press.
1t is a disease practically unknown
in this country prior to 1904, but
which has been so rapidly on the in
crease, particularly in the South At |
lantic States, as to cause agencies to
be set at work to ascertain, if posi-
bic, it's etiology and proper method of
treatment. Mortality from this di-
sease runs very high, and it is so
frightful in its character that the vic
tim of it endures living death. Be-
cause of the rapid spread of the loath-
some disease, pellagra is fast attract
ing public attention.
SYMPTOMS OF PELLAGRA.
What is Pellagra? The disease is
only known by it's symptoms. The
initial symptoms, as rule are a sore
mouth and indigestion. The disease
first manifests itself in the early
spring. The gums and the tongue
bleed, and discolorations, which at
first have the appearance of sunburn,
appear on the back of the hands and
wrists, and on the knees, ankles and
feet; then freckles appear, which later
develop into inflammation of the skin,
like a rash. The skin becomes hard
and rough. Finally the skin vesicu
lates and great patches of pus and
scales cover the parts. AS the disease
progresses the same symptoms appear
on the face and forehead, on the sides
of the neck, and even on the breast
and chest. These manifestations are
accompanied by extreme emaciation,
and by pronounced mental disturbanc-
es, that develop into insanity.
/ Usually the first thing a patient
complains of is insomnia, pain in the
back and back of the neck, and there
is general muscular weakness, stumb-
ling gait, and marked depression
There is also Inflammation about all
the body orifices. About Ga per cent
of the cases under observation have
thus far proved fatal.
Pellagra was not recognized in the
United States until within the last
decade, and even as late at 1907 medi
cal authorities held that it did moi
exist in the United States.
In Southern Europe, and especially
in Italy, this disease is widespread
and the Italian Government has beer
at great pains to combat it. The di
sease has hold in Roumania, is
found in Spain and France, is eXten
sive in Upper Egypt, and has been re
ported from Asia Minor, Austria Ser
via Bulgaria and some other parts o
Southern Europe, as well as. occasion
ally from India, Africa, Barbados
South America, PHILIPPINES, and in tn
alst few years in the Southern State
of this country, and latterly in Middl
Western and Northern States.
The existence of the disease ha
been known since 1875, in Spain; and
in 1850, it first appeared in Italy.
takes its name from the Italian words
"pelle," the skin, and agra" rough
AS early as 1884 pellagra had assume
so much Importance in Italy that
hospital was established by royal al
thority for the study of it's nature.
Sporadic cases of what are now b'
lieved to have been pellagra were oil
served in the United States about fo
ty-five year ago; no cases seem to hay
appeared thereafter, recognized a
such, until 1907, when number
cases were reported independently b
the medical officers of Alabama an
South Carolina.
SOUTH CAROLINA STORM CENTER.
At this time South Carolina is tn
"storm center" of this dread diseas
There are probably more cases in tn
State to-day than have been observe
and reported in all other States con
hined. There are estimated to
more than 900 cases in South Car
= lima. There have been, and are, MOI
than 200 cases at the South Carolin
State Hospital for the Insane and ne
cases are coming to it almost dali
The subject of pellagra is being di
cussed with great earnestness at tn
meetings of physicians at varior
points in the State and the Stat
! Board of Health of South Carolina
arranging for a pellagra conferenC
! to be held in Columbia the first wee
in November. At this meeting it
y expected there will be physicians M
only from South Carolina, but fro
adjoining States and from BaltimOr
, Philadelphia, New York, Chicago an
h other cities in the North and Yves