Arizona republican., 1909-02-04

come large and the lining membrane of the lids contracts and then such complications result as, partial loss of sight, blindness, rupture of eyeball, ulcers, scars, irities, etc. During the nineteenth century this disease was a scourge in the Prussian and English armies and on slave cargo ships-his- tory tells of it's appalling effects. This country has been fortunate in keeping it under control Immigrants landing fin the United States are examined for trachoma If diagnosis is made they are compelled to return to the country from which they came. It is a sad sight to see immigrants otherwise strong and healthy. refused entrance to United States ports. l have wit messed and performed such duty while on hospital service in New York City. In the latter part of September. 1908, a few days after I reported for duty, l diagnosed Cfound) the first case of trachoma in a Pima boy, age F years. In this case the fallicles were large on upper and lower lids-a purlent secre- ton. oedema of eve lids-at first op- portunity I made an examination of the school and found number of trachoma cases. On medical trips to Indians reservations from which we draw pupils I confirmed my diagnoses in every respect.
 Trachoma is infectious-a few au- thcrities claim it is contagious. The secretion is the danger signal. This secretion contains the trachorna germ. This germ is not isolated at present. All ages are affected. The youngest child I found with trachoma was months old. Girls are more susceptible than boys. The Pima tribe is the fore most of the tribes affected. Trachoma is more prevalent in hot climates. Touching towels, swimming pools. pill low cases, bed clothes, school books and school desks are prime causes of infection; also occupations, such as tailOrs. sewing rooms, laundry, etc. Flies very often carry the infection. Indians are especially susceptible to trachoma- It must be distinctly un- derstood trachoma is not a Phoenix school infection. l can show from per sonal investigation, where it has been brought from nine states to this school I trust the people of Phoenix recognize the fact that the Indian school is not the cause of trachOma in the public schools. It is on the reservations, in Mexican families and in some white families. At the pres ent time the Indian school is taking and was the first to take the initiative in stamping out trachOma. I shall give the most prominent symptoms. At the commencement the disease re- sembles a sub-acute conjunctivities Ca long standing redness of lining mem brane of lid of eye balD and both ocular (eye) and palpebral Qid) are affected. Slight paralysis of the lid is an early sign, such secretion as is present is watery in character. Some time you will find a marked discolora- tion of the eye ball. Pain and light blindness when in sun will be noticed. There may be itchiness of eye lids at this stage and a feeling of granules of sand under the lids Now you may have a quiescent stage of three weeks or longer Then finally small follicles form on inner and outer edge of lids at first This insidious and treacher ous disease may be of long duration DeIOr6 IL IS ulScONeTeO OF hUOWH lO eA- ist, but when the follicles appear swelling of lids, secretion, inflama- tory relapses it cannot be mistaken. The disease goes on and produce the serious complication I spoke of in the preface of my paper.
 Treatment 1. Prevention. 2.-San- itation in all its forms. 3.-The dis posal of the medicine man on the res ervation. 4.-iDrugs are only pallia tive. Drug treatment is only a force. A misnOmer in treating trachoma- 5.-Treatment for a cure is only af fected by an operation. Crushing the follicles what we call Expression" prognosis. Trachoma will yield to treatment in favorable cases from a few months to 21A years. That is the case must be under observation for that length of time. In New York City q take a city in the United States) 75 per cent of the cases are favorable. Where the disease returns it is a rein lection. l trust my auditors are not confused and fully understand my de- scription of trachoma- We can clear it up. Thank you.