Arizona republican., 1909-04-27
COMMISSIONER LEUPP
 VISITING PHOENIX
Here to investigate Alarming Spread of Trachoma in the Indian School.

Francis E. Leupp, of Washington,
 United States commissioner of Indian affairs, arrived here yesterday, his vis- it being in connection with a very serious state of affairs obtaining at the Phoenix Indian school. a condition in which the people of this city, are also much concerned. The matter in question is the embarrassing spread of trachoma, most dangerous disease of the eye. with which the Indian children are quite generally afflicted,
 and which there is much reason to be-
 lieve has been alarmingly disseminat-
 ed among the white children who have come in contact with them.
 The existence of this dread disease among the natives is nc recent discov- cry but little attention was paid to it until a few months ago. when its rapid spread began to be noted, and especial efforts were made for com batting it by the authorities at the In dian school. About the same time cases of it were discovered among children living in the Osborn school district, and occasional cases were found in Phoenix. The trustees of the Osborn district took the matter up vigorously, forced the exclusion from school of all affected or suspected pupils until a cure was effected or the suspicious were proved without foun- dation. Some measures of inspection were undertaken in the city and the osborn district by rules of freouent inspection, still enforced, it is believed. has been rid Of the disease Thus far there have been no especially alarm ing indications reported in the Phoenix schools, but it is known that certain children in the city have become in fected. and, naturally. suspicion lies in the direction of the Indians. especially where cases have developed in fami- lies where Indian help has been em ployed at one time or another
 In the meantime, it is now reported that even with all the strenuous rules of the Indian school, the disease has been gaining ground with alarming rapidity. One report says that four fifths of the Indian children are af- fected; another says that 500 children are affected, the latter being a some what smaller percentages; but, never theless. an appalling one. So ineffect- ual have been the measures taken thus far that the commissioner him self is here to investigate and take such action as may seem advisable to him.
 It is announced that the disease has gained such a fOothold among the In- dian tribes, not only in Arizona, but generally. that the bureau has had placed at it's disposal the sum of s12.- GOO to be used exclusively for stamp nrrt hn deeply seated as feared. even that amount of money will doubtless be only the initial expenditure of what will eventually be needed.
 As for plan of action. nothing has yet been announced. That is the mat ter the commissioner now has under consideration. but it is stated that one plan being considered is the establish ing of an institution in which the af- fected Indians shall be sequestered and treated. either at the Phoenix Indian school or on some nearby reserva- ton.
 A thorough discussion of the history, nature and terrible effect of trachoma was so recently given in these col umns that it is not necessary to treat of the matter at length at this time. The disease, however is one that orig mated largely in filth and that is perpetuated by unsanitary conditions and transmitted by contact with it's germs, made easy by close association with affected persons and by the un- sanitary practices of using towels. bathing facilities and other family necessities in common, the disease be- | ing infectious rather than contagious | The effect of trachoma, if not properly | treated in its early stages. is very apt | to be total blindness in the end. and l even where properly treated. it is a | long, hard fight, ranging from months l, to years, between the time of discovery l and thorough eradication. Children. by | their closer association, are more apt | to become affected, though older per sons are by no means immune, and l. the younger the person affected and | the sooner the disease is noted, the more easily may it be arrested or cured