The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1909-08-27

appearance Of the disease known as
pellagra than over anything of the kind
that has come under its observation in
many years. Not even the fever cpl
denies of old stirred up the department
to such an extent, for the fever had a
certain definiteness to cope with ~ it
came and went at certain seasons and
in certain localities, and patients either
died, or. after an attack of rarely more
than few weeks, they returned to their
usual occupations But pellagra has no
periodical regularity of appearance or
disappearance, although it is said to be
more violent in the spring; nor has it
any local affinities, and the patients go
more often to the madhouse than back
to their former duties. No wonder,
then, that scientists are aroused, and
that Investigations are being made all
over the country.
But although pellagra is new, in name
at least, to the people of America, it is
an old story and sad one to many
countries of Europe. The dictionary
definition of the word is: An en-
demic disease of Southern Europe,
characterized by erythema, digestive de-
rangement and nervous affections. 1t
exhibits vernal occurrences or eXacer-
bations, and is frequently fatal after
few years. Here is given no cause,
but in the Standard Encyclopedia we
read: A disease common among the
peasantry of Italy, the Austrias, Gas
cony, etc., caused by living on maize,
affected by parasitic fungus. 1t COM
mences by a shining red spot on some
part of the body, the skin becomes dry
and cracks, and the epidermis falls off
in white, bran-like scales, leaving a
shining redness as before. Thus we
see that although it scales, it is abso-
lutely different from leprosy which is
devoid of color.
A quotation from the Popular Science
Monthly says further: In the maize
porridge, which is the chief food of
certain class of Italian workmen, there
is formed, by putrefaction, during the
hot months, a poison which causes pei
lagra." Here is given the origin OF the
cause of the disease; and Chambers
Encyclopedia throws more light on the
subject by the following statement:
THE extent of the ravages of this af-
lection may be estimated from the fact
that, of 500 patients in the Milan Luna
tic Asylum in 1927, one-third were pei
lagrins, that is, persons affected by
pellagra. Again we read in the Ency-
clopedia Britannica that "a large num-
Der of pellagrous peasants end their
days in lunatic asylums in state of
driveling wretchedness or raving mad
ness" OF the possibility of curing the
disease very little is said; some authori-
ties being hopeful if it is taken in time
and treated properly; others not so san
guine, and pointing gloomily to the in
sane reports.
With these scientific sidelights thrown
on the subject, the alarm of the health
department over its discovery in this
country is readily understood. When
first discovered it was believed to be
confined to the South, but investiga
tons made recently show its presence
in Illinois, and by the time the search
is completed it will no doubt be found
scattered all over the country, without
respect to latitude or longitude, for we
are, in all sections, more or less corn
eating nation.
Good corn meal, and there is more
of it good than bad, is as wholesome as
any wheat produce; it is only the very
inferior or filthy grades that hold any
menace for the human stomach, and
through the stomach for the brain.
The health department, knowing this,
has already sent expert scientists to the
corn-growing States to look into the
character of grain that is being harvest
ed; and no doubt the pure-food people
have long ago set their watch on the
mills and markets.
But if the danger from this disease is
fact as stupendous as is represented,
then the health and hospital service
must go still further in throwing out
defences. The pure food laws may pro-
tect those who buy from established
dealers, but how about the numberless
country people who send their corn to
some local mill that is far from the pub
lie eye, and get it back ready for the