The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-03-14
HOOKWORM EXPERT
 VISITS DECATUR Dr. Perry Finds no Hookworms in Northern Alabama TWO LECTURES GIVEN Conference Is Held Between pr. Perry and Decatur Physicians and More Thorough investigation VIII He
 Made for Hookworms
TWO LECTURES GIVEN

Decatur, March 13.--(Special )-Dr. H. Perry of Greensboro, representing the state board of health, was in the De- caturs yesterday making inquiries as to the prevalence of the hookworm in this section of the state. Dr. Perry has but recently visited a number of counties in the southern and middle portions of the state and is now making an investigation of this section of the state. This is the second county he has visited in north Alabama and thus far he has not found any hookworms in this section of the state. He says that he has found the hookworm more prevalent among the poor classes of the, piney woods of the state. He says that in the piney woods sections among the poor, where there is no sani- tatioa at all, the hookworm Is quite numerous.
 While In the Decaturs pr. Perry gave two interesting lectures to the medical men of the Decaturs and of this section of the state and these lectures were well attended. His lectures were so clear and clothed in such language as to be un- derstood by the layman as well as by the professional man. He is of the opin- ion that the hookworm is a great men ace to the poor of the piney woods sec- tlons of Alabama and of the south in the public schools of the city and in- yestigated the drinking water and pro- nounced it good. The schools here use sanitary drinking fountains
 The physicians of the two Decaturs and of this county will make a special study of the hookworm. Dr. Perry left several hookworms In New Decatur in the office of Dr. Frank P. Pettey, where they are now on exhibition and are being looked at by many people. The worms are of a dirty white color about one-half inch long, and of the size of a very small wire. Dr. Perry says they hook them selves in the intestines of a person and eat out the very vitals of life, hence one who is infected with the worm is lazy and sluggish The fact that the worm hooks itself In the intestine has given 1t the name of hookworm.
 Dr. Perry says that better sanitation is one of the best preventives for the hookworm. He says that a case of hook worm is seldom found in city of good sanitation. An investigation will be made here by the local physicians for hook worms.
 Arrangements are being made for the annual meeting of the state council of the Junior Order. United American Me- chanics, which will be held in New De- oatur on April 1s and 20 The meeting will probably open with a two hours public service at which number of prom inent speakers will deliver short ad- dresses This will be followed by bus mess session lasting until the night of the 20th On the night of April 19 pub lie services will be held in the Ma sonic theatre In New Decatur, and at these services Bibles and United States flags will be presented to the public schools of New Decatur. At this meet ing Congressman Burnett of Alabama will deliver an address on foreign lmrnigra- ton, and a. number of other well known public speakers will deliver short ad- dresses.
 Charles H. Greer, a newspaper man of Marion, and leading candidate for secretary of state of Alabama. was in the Decaturs last night in the interest of his candidacy for office. He will spend several days in this end of the state campaigning in his own interest. He made a most favorable impression in the Decaturs and will, no uoubt, receive good vote here.
 At 5 clock this morning fire destroyed thr ee small frame houses in the negro portion of the city on the west side. The flames originated in 6 soft drin-- stand and this and two small dwellings on either side were totally destroyed. The cause of the fire Is unknown. The loss will be about saO0O partially insured. The property belonged to negroes.
 There are but nine prisoners now con- fined in the county jail In Decatur. Seven of the number are white men and two are negroes. Three of the white men are charged with capital ofenses. The others are charged with minor offenses. This is the smallest number of prisoners that hse been confined in this jail for a num- Der of months.
 Five proprietors of soft drink stands in the Decaturs have been arrested on in- dictments founi by the recent session Of the Morgan county law and equity court grand jury. These men have given bond for their appearance and their cases will he set for trial later on. They are all charged with having violated the prohi- bition laws of the state It is said that as many as four indictments were found arainst some of the parties. The nature of the evidence against these mon Is not known at this time, but 1t Is said that the indictments were found mainly on the evidence of paid detectives. Thus far this nature of evidence has failed to con vict men on like charges in this county. O'NEAL CLUB FORMED