The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-08-01
Hook Worm Treatment.

In order that the inhabitants of
Bamberg county may fully appreci-
ciate the necessity of cooperating
with the State board of health and
county commissioners, in their cam
paign against the hook worm disease,
I am giving below the cause, some Of
the symptoms, and the emedy for the
condition.
The Cause.
This disease is caused by small
round worm, about half an inch in
length, and as thick as an ordinary
hair pin. These worms gain access
to the body from the soil polluted
with the bowel discharges of a per-
son infected with hook worms. This
discharge contains millions of eggs
laid by the female hook worm. There
is no increase of the worms in the
body of a human being because the
eggs won't hatch until they get to the
soil. When they do hatch out in the
soil the little worm, which comes
from a she'll, lives there for months
awaiting an opportunity to enter the
body of human beings, generally
through the skin, or by being swal-
lowed. Thus we see that there is a
vicious circle from person to soil,
and from soil back to person. Break
the circle and the disease will be ex-
terminated.
Symptoms.
Ground itch is the first symptom
generally, but is of comparatively
little Importance, except as a fore
runner of what is to follow. Usually
in seven or eight weeks after severe
case of ground itch the patient begins
to experience symptoms of the dis
ease. At first the person may be
normal in appearance, physically,
making it impossible to diagnose the
disease without the aid of micro
scope. They usually however suffer
with loss of energy, headache, lndl-
gestion, heartburn, constipation, etc.
The appetite may be impaired or
ravenous. These are the mild cases
of the disease, but it is just as i'm
portant to treat these as the severe
cases, because every case means an
other, as long as our sanitation re-
mains as it is at present.
The medium cases have the same
symptoms, only more aggravated.
They begin to look pale, puny. and
sallow.
In the severe cases they show a
decided lack of color or anaemia due
to loss of blood, face puffed, poorly
developed body and limbs, showing
impairment in growth, abdomen
prominent, suffers often from weak
ness, dizziness, shortness of breath,
palpitation of the heart, pains in the
stomach, perverted appetite for such
things as sand, clay, plaster, lemons,
pickles, etc. Often these symptoms
are followed by extreme dropsy and
death follows, if the patient is not
treated.
The Remedy.
Now first we see that to eliminate
hook worm disease the bowel dis
charges of human beings must be
properly cared for, that is, kept from
polluting the soil, and to do this suit
able sanitary rivies must be built at
each home, school house, churches,
etc., in the county. This prevention
of disease is more important than its
cure.
Second. In every case of hook
worm disease must be treated until
cured. This usually requires not
more than four treatments, given one
week apart. The necessity for TAX
ing extra treatments must be empha-
sized. These treatments can be OBJ
tanned free by anyone infected by
applying at dispensary points named
below.
Each person applying for examina-
ton should bring for microscopical
test, a small portion of his or her
bowel discharge, because it is not al
ways possible to make diagnosis with
out the aid of the microscope.
Every person between the ages OF
5 or and 26 or 27 should be exam
ined, also anyone who suffers with
any of the above symptoms.
The disease is found at all ages,
in both sexes, in all classes and in
both races.
Third. Every person should wear
good shoes, especially during big
dews or after heavy rains, or even
when the ground is damp, because
then you are more apt to contract
ground itch.