Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-01-26
DREADED TRAChoMA MAKES AP.
pEARANcE AMONG CLINTON
COLONY.
0PKEAp ~ TAINTED MONEY
AND USE OF TOWELS
Isolation 10 Needed 20 Prevent Spread
-postoffioe Employees Resort TO Dis
infection Of Al Money Handled -
Disease Hard to Cure and Frequent
Iy Causes Blindness.

Clinton, Jan. 26.-Despite precautions
taken in Europe and by the United
States immigration bureaus, foreigners
anliced with the most dreaded eye dis
ease. trachoma. have come to this coun
try and to Clinton and are spre adlns
the disease among their companions
and others.
So serious is the disease and the dan :
ger of contagion that all money receiV-
Ned at the Clinton postoffice. particular
Nv from foreigners. is considered tainted
and is religiously disinfected. Formal
dehyde is kept in all OF the money
drawers Of the office and in this way
the disinfection is accomplished. IN
some instances, the employees use disfn-
,4ectant on their hands after hand1lhs
money, paid them by foreigners. ..
"The disease was brought 10 Clinton.
.patd one prominent eye specialist. by
s1oreieners who are now employed in
railroad work II is most prevalent
among the Greeks and Austrians and
teome Italians The disease, known as
trachoms, is probably the cause OF
moro cases of blindness than any other
seye disease"
Would Isolate Patients.
This oculist has had nearly score
lnf oases of trachoma among the for
4eisners in the last year, in addition TO
a number Of cases among Americans,
who have contracted the terrible af-
aiction from the foreigners. He believes
the only way to stamp out the malay
- by the isolation Of the cases, as is
now being done in Italy, and by CO.
80 IN nr1a
of the city He advises that all persons
suffering with any affliction of their
eyes. no matter how Slight. immediate
~ consult a competent oculist and have
their eyes examined. The disease fire.
uuently stimulates other eye troubles.
such az pink-eye, etc.
1.-THE disease h exceptional contag-
ious," said the specialist. st is also
known as Egyptian eye affection from
the fact that It practically originated in
Egypt It was not known in Europe
until after Napoleon returned from his
disastrous campaign IN Egypt, the SOL
diers bringing back the disease. Ira
choma begins insiduousty and advances
,tapidly.
Symphonic Of Disease.
"First signs Of the ailnent are
scratching sensations as tho foreign
disease is considerably advanced be-
fore 1t is recognized Then large
granules form. followed by discharge
and an inability 20 open the eyes on
account Of light affecting them Then
the eye becomes affected with ulcera-
f1on and a peculiar form OF congestion.
whereby the eyeball becomes covered
with '>lood vessels. in whole or IN part,
making the eye appear like piece Of
salmon.
1.-THE disease Is very resistant to
Treatment. requiring months Of the very
best treatment to eradicate. Undoubt-
edly 1t Is caused by q pathogenic mi
organism (like gerrn). which is
not at present known. Conta zion takes
place thru the using OF the same towels.
washing IN the same basins. etc. with
affected individuals. Possibly and prob
ably, in many cases. the disease is COM
nunicafed thru the agency Of flies"