Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-20

days after skin infection. When the in
teStine Is reached the worm sheds its
skin two or three times, becomes adult,
mates. and lays innumerable eggs. which
In time grow MP to prey upon the unfor-
tunate victim In a new cycle Of life.
In the second mode OF infection the
larvae may be swallowed with unclean
or infected food. Here 1t should be noted
that the person afflicted with Lookworms
is walking menace to all his kind The
adult worms are evacuated, polluting the
soil where sanitary precautions are lack
ing, as Is SO frequent in certain of the
southern states. and thus an endless
chain of infection Is established.
The hookworm disease is peculiar to
tropical and subtropical climates, to
negroes and poor wnites." and especi-
ally to children. Like pellagra, the hook
worm accounts for symptoms and diseases
formerly known by various names. Thus,
the we'll known lassitude and aversion to
labor characteristic of certain classes of
whites and negroes in the south may be
ascribed to the hoohworm, which has so
vitiated their systems, poisoned their
tissues and destroyed their vitality AL
though 1t has been humorously termed
the lazy bug" and the lazy GERM the
hookworm is no joke. Even the dirt
eater" is now. thought to represent the
typical extreme case Of hookworm disease.
y y
The patient usually is retarded in de-
velopment, both physical and mental,
and shows a
Skin Gets Dry and more or less
Complexion Waxy mia A person
twenty-one years old may appear not
better developed than one Of fourteen to
eighteen years old. The skin is dry. and
there is a noticeable absence of perspira-
ton. The color may be waxy white to
dirty yellow, it has a resemblance to tall
low. especially on looking through the
superficial layer down into a deeper lay
er. The hair of the head is dry, re-
minding one of hemp. The beard may
be very late and scant of growth. If
skin wound Is present it is likely to be
slow in healing.
Many patients either show tibial ulcers
or give y history of such LESSONS. The
face shows an anxious, Outlines stupid,
expression. Dark lines under the eyes
are common. The pupils show a ten
dency to dilatation, even when facing a
strong light. Many patients exhibit d
peculiar blank stare and night blindness
Is reported in a number Of instances. The
chest may be SO emaciated that the ribs
stand out very prominently. The Shout
derS droop and are thrown forward and
the shoulder blades stand out promi-
nently.
In many instances the abdomen is
swollen This condition is known locally
as pot BELLY" 'buttermilk belly" or
"shad belly" The appetite varies ex-
ceedingly. There is decided develop
ment Of an unusual desire for certain
articles of food, such as pickles. coffee
berries. lemons and in the direction Of
dirt eating"-that is. the patient may
devour sand. clay. chimney SCOT. plaster.
cotton and wool. DR.. Stiles tells of one
case where boy afflicted with hook
worm disease ate three coats. thread by
thread. in one years time. He traces
to these abnormal appetites the practice
of snuff chewing. or ''dipping." so COM
mon in certain localities in the south.
X y
There are undoubtedly tens of thou
sands Of cases Of hookworm disease in
the he n
THOUSANDS OF Cases states. Although
CT, -. :, not necessarily