The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1912-03-06
THE EOOKWORM.
DR.. T. A. Ashby Says 5000 Cases
Exist in Baltimore.

DR.. T. A. Ashby Says 5000 Cases
Exist in Baltimore.
81 am convinced that If an accu-
rate diagnosis could be made 5000
cases Of hookworm would be found
in Baltimore city and between TO-
900 and $1,000 cases in the State
outside"
This startling statement was made
byD T. a. Ashby, one Of the most
prominent physicians OF the city and
a member OF the Maryland House Of
Delegates two years ago, says The
Baltimore Sun.
"While Maryland is spending mil
lions Of dollars in building roads,
bringing immigrants to the State and
in other forms Of Industrial develop
ment it is losing an incalculable
amount annually by neglecting the
health of its people," Dr.. Ashby con-
tinued.
He declared that he was greatly
interested in an address on the hook
worm delivered Friday night by DR..
Charles W. Stiles, Of the marine hos
pital service, who told Of the raw
ages Of the disease in the South.
''It is true" said Dr.. Ashby, chat
but few cases have been treated. in
this State, but that is because hun
dreds Of persons are suffering and
dying from this disease every year
without knowing what is the matter
with them.
"Our physicians have not been
trained in diagnosis and they are
treating those suffering from hook
worm for some other disease. This
disease, which is so prevalent in the
South, is sapping the life of our peo-
pie. 1t arrests development and
when children have it they are eth
sr unable TO go to school or are in
such poor physical and mental health
that they are not benefited by going.
"N1en and women are unified by
this disease to do the work they
should do. Their earning power is
thus decreased and instead Of being
producers and thus adding to the
wealth Of the community they are
an expense.
Cure of hookworm trouble is not
difficult. Until the disease reaches
an advanced stage it can be cured in
from one to FIVE days. The princi-
pal cause OF this ailment is lack Of
sanitation. 1t is not contagious as
tuberculosis is, but is carried in
food stuffs, by flies or may get in
through the skin. Children walking
barefoot over soil that is infected
with the hookworm parasite are La
BILE to infection.
'.Hookworm is a tropical trouble
and was brought to this country by
the negroes. The worm is a little
parasite which finds its way into the
intestinal canal, leads to arrested de-
yelopment and perverted nutrition.
While it Is spreading among all
classes in the South, it is found
largely among the negroes. Remove
this disease and the morals Of the
blacks will be improved.
"In the Southern States last year
100000 cases OF hookworm were
treated and cured. It is estimated
that there are 100000 cases Of this
disease in the South. 1t can readily
be seen what a drain upon our re-
sources this Is.
What we plead for Is more lib
crafty toward our State board OF
health. There is an urgent need in
every county Of this State for a san
itary officer who shall have absolute
power to enforce laws regarding san
itation. These officials should be
appointed by the board and paid
from the State treasury.
''I firmly believe that with proper
aid on the part OF the State, hook
worm could be eradicated aHd other
communicable diseases greatly re-
duced. We seek to induce immigrants
10 settle in Maryland in order to
build up our waste land, while
through a false spirit Of economy We
are permitting our own people to suf-
fer from diseases which prevent them
from being useful citizens. While,
Of course, I am interested In aiding
these people from the humanitarian
standpoint, yet if not for that reason
then at least from the economic
standpoint the State should be will
ing to help.
what I have said Of hookworm
holds good for other diseases. 1t is
difficult to convince the people at
large that by a parsinonious atti-
,ude on the part Of the State toward
he State board Of health, hundreds
It lives are sacrificed and thousands
If dollars lost annually