Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-06-03
Rabies is Contracted From Bites
Of Wolves and Skunks,
Say Doctors.
VERY LITTLE lfPR0sY HERE
Hook Worm Disease Prevalent in the
Scuth-Physician Says Child Labor
is Benefit to South as II Improves
Sanitary Conditions - Pallasra
Makes Its Appearances.
IN Associated Press.)

WASHINGTON, ID. C., June -
An Interesting de >slopment of discus
sion of rabies today at the annual
conference of state and territorial
health officers with the United States
Public Health and Marine Hospital
Service, was the fact that the disease
frequently is contracted from the bites
of skunks, wolves and other wild ami
mails.
Drs. Godfrey of Arizona, and Brum-
by, of Texas, described the danger
from the bites of sunks and other Wild
animals in their localities and declared
that wolf h'tes frequently convey the
infection Of rabies.
DR.. Kerr declared that public o2in-
len was becoming rapidly educated
u the necessity of muzzling dogs as
the only certain way of overcoming
the disease. The general conclusion
of the conference was that II was
quite as reasonable to require the
muzzling OF dogs as it was to prohibit
the free roaming of cattle and horses
in the streets
Provide for Leprosy.
OF leprosy Surgeon General Wyman
voiced the widespread feeling that the
disease was one which concerned all
the states. He pointed to the TACT
that the United States was the first
government TO make provision for
thorough investigation Of leprosy. HIS
remarks had reference to the leprosy
Institution in Hawaii
From reieorts made by the delegates
it appeared that the United States
was remarkably free ffom leproSy as
compared with many foreign countries
That other causes than that of in
fected water supply must be found
TO explain the continued prevalence OF
typhoid fever in different communiu es,
apioeared to be the general sentiment
of the conference Dr. Lumsden. Of the
Hygienic lahartory stated that ap-
proximately ten per cent of all cases
of the disease in Washington during
a period Of investigation were believed
20 have been due to milk. The neces-
sity of a thorough study OF the dis
ease throughout the country was EN-
phasiZed.
Hook Worm Disease.
The surprising prevalence of the
'hook worm disease in the South was
shown by Dr. Charles W. Stiles. who
said it was due to unsaHtary condi-
tions and the resultant pollution or
the soil. He said that % per cent OF
the children in n large section of the
South had the disease in such an an
parent form that It could be detected
vi thout a miscroscope. Child laSor in
the South. said Dr. stiles. was a posi-
tive blessing as it was improving the
condition Of the children themselves
and causing a general upfft in the
condition of the poorer population He
also asserted that il was decreasing
the death rate among children.
DR.. stiles urged the need or educat-
ing the poorer people to the necessity
of providing themselves with proper
sanitary facilities. and of teaching the
country doctors how to treat the dis
ease.
Study Of PslIsors.
Pellacra. the disease which has
made its appearance in TN s country
only in recent wears. was discussed
DR.. c. r Williams. Of South Caro-
lima read a paper showing its prevail
ence in the South
Dr.. II. r. Harris. of Georgia. sa d
that the disease occurred chiefly III
the fall and slring. that IL probably
was due 20 eating corn bread made
from unripe OF mculdy corn, and that
its most prOminet symptom was in
SANITY. Surgeon General Wyman stat
ed that the service was concentrating
sending an expert on the subject 70
several foreign countries TO study pei
1arra With a view Of adopting meas
-, ~ this cr.srufry fO- its elm nation