The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1909-11-05
Rockefeller gives $1,000, 900
to Fight the Disease.
HE is FOND OF THE SOUTH
Magnate Says the Gift Expresses Fills
Appreciation of the Hospitality Shown
Him BY the Southern People.

New York CHA gift cf s1,OOO,O00
by John d. Rockefeller to fight the
shook worm disease" was announced
here.
A dozen well known educators and
scientists. selected in large part from
institutions Of learning in the south.
where the parasite is prevalent, were
called in conference with Mr.. Rookie
feller's representatives, and at that
meeting Mr.. Rockefeller's desire TO
organize a commission to carry on
campaign against the malady was dis
cussed. AS a result of this discussion
of the situation, the Rockefeller
Commission for the Eradication Of the
Hook Worm Disease was organized.
The members of this commission,
as selected by Mr.. Rockefeller, are:
DR.. William H. Welch, professor of
pathology in Johns Hopkins universi-
ty. president of the American Medical
association: DIR. Simon Flexner, direc-
tor Of Rockefeller Institute for Med
ical Research; Dr. Charles w, Stiles,
chief OF the division Of zoology, Unit
ed States Public Health and Marine
Hospital service, and discoverer OF
the American species Of hook worm,
and the prevalence Of the disease in
America. DR.. Edward A. Alderman,
president Of the University Of Virgin
Ia. DR.. David +. Houston, chancellor
of Washington university, st. LOUIS,
Mo-: Professor p. p. Claxon, profes-I
scr of education In the University OF
Tennessee; Honorable j. Y. Joyner,
state superintendent Of education I'M
North Carolina, and president OF the
National Educational association;
Walter ii. Page, editor Of the Worlds
Work: DR.. H. B. Frissell, principal
Hampton institute; Frederick T.
Gates, one of Mr.. Rockefellers busi-
ness managers; Starr ]. Murphy, Mr..
Rockefeller's counsel In benevolent
matters; John D. Rockefeller, Jr.
All but Professor Claxton and Mr..
Joyner were present at the meeting
and they have both since accepted
places on the boards elected to carry
out Mr.. Rockefeller's plans.
In calling these gentlemen together
Mr.. Rockefeller addressed to each a
letter pointing out his interest in re-
lieving the human suffering caused by
the hook worm parasite, especially
because, he said, 1t had been his pleas
ure to spend q portion Of each year
among the warm-hearted people Of
the south. and he welcomed the OPP
portunity to express appreciation OF
their many kindnesses and hospital
tiles.
The members of the commission
in framing a reply to Mr.. Rockefel-
ler's offer Of $1,000,00O declared that
the proposition met with their hearth
est appreciation,
1.-Two millions of our people are in
fected with this parasite" they ad-
ded. 'It is by no means confined to
one class. 1t takes its toll of suffering
and death from the intelligent and
well-to-do as we'll as from the less for
Inmates"
The hook worm" according to
New York Medical authorities, Is q
hair.like parasite to which Is charg- /
cd form OF anemia prevalent espec-
tally among the poor people of the
south. 1t was not until recent years
that members OF the medical profess
sion recognized that parasite caus-
ed the malady.
In December, 1902, DR.. Charles
Wardell Stiles, then a zoologist in the
Bureau of Animal Industry at Wash
inkton, who had been studying in
festival parasites, announced to the
Pan,American Sanitary congress his
conviction that the so-called "lazi-
ness and cshiftlessness,' widely OBJ
served in certain portions of the south
was q specific disease due to the
hook worm. Many members Of the
congress expressed surprise at the
announcement and up to the present
the disease has been a matter Of
some controversy.