The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-25
HOOKWORM
 CASES IN 1O7 DAYS Three Men Have Made Re-
 markable Record IN SOUTH ALABAMA
pr. Dinsmore in Charge of Work in Alabama Has Compiled Some Interesting Figures on
 Result of Efforts

 ing 9775 cases of hookworm disease In 1O7 days, covering a territory embraced in five counties, the Alabama field forces now after the notorious lazy worm have given the pest no time to tarry. This was accomplished in well fitted out dis pensaries and by three men, making the average S5OS cases per man, and daily average of s9 individual attentions.
 These figures are shown in a compila- ton just made by Dr. w w. Dinsmore of the state board of health, in charge of the work directed against the hookworm in Alabama, financed, as is well known, by the Rockefeller commission. pr. Dins- more has only three assistants, Drs.. J. Fraser Orr. H. G. Perry and w, w.. Perdue. The work began early in Janu- ary and is tabulated up to the last Of May.
 The counties included in the showing are Houston, Geneva, Dale, Coffee and Covington. From January to February 2S pr. Orr gave treatment to 576 pa- tients in Houston county, using 16 dispe9- sary days. divided between Dothan, Ash ford, Columbia and Madrid. In 21 dis pensary days pr. Orr handled 3e51 cases in the towns of Enterprise, Brocton and Elba, Coffee county.
 pr. Perry attended alone in the towns of Skipperville, Midland City, Daleville, Ariton and Ozark, Dale county, 1915 eases, using 22 dispensary days. In 30 dispen- sary days pr. Perry and pr. Perdue treated 1929 cases in the Geneva county towns of Samson, Hartford, Slocomb and Geneva Working alone Dr. Perdue handled in IS dispensary days in Gov ington county 2504 cases, working in the towns of Opp, Andalusia, Red Level and Florala.
 It will thus be seen that with three men and 20 dispensaries al almost ten thou sand cases have been treated in barely the rise of one hundred working days Indicating the live wire activity the forces 454 cases were attended to in one day, April fl, at Brocton, Coffee county. Dr. Dnsmore pays his men the com pliment to say that only heroic and in domitable service could have made any such record. Enthusiasm for the move- ment on the part of the people has also had good effect in getting out those afflicted.
 Plan of the Work
 The plan on which the work is done for the elimination of the hookworm is carefully laid out. the central office in Montgomery being the focal point. The supervisor sends out letters to the med ical society in a county sought to be reached, giving a date upon which member of the state force will meet with the organization. to discuss county campaign and prepare for 1t.
 At this meeting resolution is passed, signed by the members as a whole, indorsing a local campaign and promising aid and cooperation. A pe- tition is, at the same tine, drawn up, asking small appropriation from the county commissioners to defray the cost of publicity, pay for drugs in the dispensary, etc. This petition is pre- sented to the. county board by a com mittee of the local medical society.
 Following a well worked out itin- erary of the county, the field man goes into every section, seeing the doctors, visiting the schools, featuring to schools and public gatherings. using stereopti- con views to show the progress of the disease and the results of the treat ment The attention of the county papers is sought and personal visits, seeking aid and support, are paid to the town and community officials.
 With interest aroused three to five points are selected in the county for dispensaries and dates for each one of
 
 sent out carrying the information that the meetings will be held, where and when and every one interested in any way urged to attend. Rural carriers and other means of reaching the less populated sections are used with great success. Each dispensary is visited once a week on the advertised day for a period of six or eight weeks. depend ing upon the number of cases apply ing for diagnosis or treatment.
 People Are Interested
 One of the gratifying features of the work Is the great interest shown by the people with whom the doctors come in contact. In reports made to Su- pervisor Dinsmore the field men tell of many evidences of this feeling. It Is also a fact that the doctors give earn est support, rarely failing to work with the visiting physicians in getting to and treating all those who desire or have need of the course prescribed.
 Many pupils are found to be infected. and in more than one instance it is dis. covered that even the teachers have the malady. Recognizing that this Is the case, it is rarely difficult to get all hands in a section in line with the movement Many stories are told of the results of the Urea tment. Dr. Wickliffe Rose of Wash ington, executive secretary of the Rocke- feller commission, was in Florida few days ago and saw a lad who had been cured by the medicines used.
 What do you think of the treatment?" asked .Dr. Rose.
 'It was good for me-" was the reply.
 Tn what way?" continued the ques- tioner.
 "Well'-and the boy grew interested "every time I used to cut wood l got so tired Now I don't"
 That was the story eloquently told, concluded Dr Rose