Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1909-10-29
War on the Malady to Be Directed
by Commission of Scientists.
PLAN OF THE ORGANIZATION
Preliminary Steps Are Taken-COn-
ference in New York Tuesday.
TWO MILLIONS ARE AFFECTED
Toll OF Suffering is Taken from
People of All CIasses-Letter
Written by OIL King Out
lining Hia Wishes.


NEW YORK. Oct ga gift Of 81 900. 900
by John d. Rockefeller to fight the Hook
worm disease" was announced at the office
Of the Standard oil company here late to-
day.
a dozen well known educators and scien-
lists, selected in large part from institu-
tions of learning in the south. where the
parasite is prevalent. were called in con-
ference with Mr.. : ckefellers representa-
tives al the STANDARD Oil company's offices
last Tuesday, and AZ that meeting Mr..
Rockefeller's desire o organize a commits
sion to carry on a campaign against the
malady was discussed. As a result of this
discussion OF the situation, the Rockefeller
Commission for the Eradication of the
Hook Worm Disease was organized.
~ Members of COmmissiOn.
The members OF this commission, as Sc
lected by Mr.. Rockefeller include DR. VIII
liam II. Weleh. professor of pathology in
Johns Hopkins university; President of
the American Medical Association DR..
Simon Flexner; Or. Charles w. Stiles, chief
of the division of zoology. United States
public health and marine hospital service,
and discoverer OF the American species OF
hook worm and the prevalence of the dis
case In America, and Mr.. Starr ]. Murphy,
Mr.. Rockefellers counsel, and John d,
Rockefeller, ir.
In calling these gentlemen together for
Tuesdays conference Mr.. Rockefeller ad-
dressed to each letter pointing out his
interest.
The members of the commission, in franz
ing a reply TO MI. Rockefeler's offer of
S1,0OO,0O0, declared that the proposition met
with their heartlest approval.
Two millions of our people are infected
xt,fth aad fe
by no means confined to one class. 1t
takes its toll of suffering and death from
the intelligent and well-to-do as well as
from the less fortunate"
MIR. Rockefeller wrote to the conferees:
Letter from Rockefeller.
NEW YORK, oct. "a. .4Gentlemen: For.
many months my representatives have
been inqulrlng into the uature and preva-
lence of hook worm disease and consid
ering plans for mitigating its evils. have
delayed action in this matter only until
the facts as to the extent of the disease
could be verified and the effectiveness Of
its cure and prevention demonstrated.
"The wide distribution and the serious
effects Of this malady, particularly in the
rural districts of our southern states, first
pointed out by DR.. Charles Wardell Stiles
OF the United States Public Health and
Marine Hospital service have now been
confirmed by independent observations Of
other distinguished investigators and ply
slcians, as well as BY educators and pub
lie men Of the south.
Knowing your interest in all that per-
tains to the well-being of your fellowmen
and your acqualntances with this subject,
have invited you to a conference in the
hope that It may lead to the adoption Of
iva
movement of the medical profession, pub
lie health officials. board of trade, churches
schools, the press and other agencies for
the cure and prevention of this disease,
IF you deem it wise TO undertake this
commission, shall be glad to be permitted
to work with you to that end and you may
call upon me from time to time for such
sums as may be needed during the next
five years for carrying on an aggressive
campaign, up TO a total OF one million dol
lars ($l OC0 OO0. While IT would be a privl-
Iege to act in any movement which offers
assurance OF relieving human suffering. II
I Is a peculiar pleasure to me to feel that
the principal activities OF your board will
be among the people Of our southern states.
1t has been my pleasure OF late to spend a
portion OF each year in the south and ]
have come TO know and respect greatly
that part OF our country and to enjoy the
society and friendship Of many of its warm
hearted people, 1t win therefore be an
added qualification to me II In this way ]
may in some measure express appreciation
Of their many kindnesses and hospitalitles
Very truly,
JOHN d. RoCKEFELLER,"
Cause of Anemla.
The hook worm" achording TO New
York medical authorities, is a hair-like par,
asite 10 which is charged a form OF
anemia prevalent especially among th'
poor people OF the south 1t was not unit
recent years that members OF the medica
profession recognized that a parasite
caused the malady.
In December, 1902, DIR. Charles Wardel
stiles. then a zoologist in the bureau O
animal industry at Washington, who haC
been study intestinal parasites, announced
TO the Pau-American Sanitary congress hii
conviction that the so-ealled ''laziness'
and "shiftlessness' widely observed in Ger
tain portions Of the south was specific
disease, due to the hook worm" Man!
members OF the congress expressed sur
Prise at the announcement and up 70 tn
present the disease has been matter o
some controversy.