Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1912-09-25
Cause and Symptoms of Hook
worm Disease.

Hookworm disease is caused by
a small, round worm which meas
ures about half an inch in length
and has the thickness of an ordlna-
ry hair pin. 1t enters the body IN
stage at which it is invisible to the
naked eye usually through the skin,
thereby producing ground itch, and
makes its way to the intestine, and
becomes full grown. The parasite
then feeds upon the blood of the
host, causing bleeding places i'll the
intestine, and in all probability has
poisons which get into the system
and may destroy the blood of the
person. Each hookworm lives from
10 to Is years after entering the
body. Outside the body they live IN
the soil. And in turn they get into
the soil only through soil contsml-
nation with the bowel discharges OF
a human being. Therefore, we have
the vicious circle, from soil to the
person, and from person to the soil.
If the human excreta were properly
provided for and disposed of, the
disease would soon be stamped out.
The disease is found at all ages, in
both sexes, in all classes and in
both racas.
Mild.
Symptoms: Ground itch is the
first sym ptom, but is of compare
lively little importance. The symp-
tons following ground-itch will de-
pend upon the number of worms
present and the strength of the in
diyidual. The number of hookworms
in persons infected varies from one
or two to several thousand more.
They 90 not multiply in the body.
In mild case of hookworm dis
ease there may be no physical chang
es in the person indicating the pres
ence of the disease, and there also
may be no special symptoms. The
person looks more or less healthy,
has a good color, is we'll developed,
etc. However, in many of the mild
cases, the person suffers regularly
from indigestion or dyspepsia, may
have headaches, heartburn, pains IN
the stomach, poor appetite and
general bad feeling.
Medium.
In case little more severe, the
person looks little pale, skin little
cloudy, and often suffers the above
mentioned symptoms, usually the
SYMPTOMS being somewhat more In
tense.
Severe.
In a case that is still more severe
the person infected is markedly pale,
due to the loss of blood, often sal
low, face pufed, poorly developed,
body and limbs showing impair
ment in growth; puny, abdomen
prominent, suffers often from weak
ness, headaches, dizziness, symp-
toms of indigestion as already men
toned, shortness of breath and pal
pitations of the heart. Appetite
with some poor, others ravenous.
In very severe case of hook
worm disease the person infected is
extremely pale, sallow, face puffed,
stunted in growth, dropsical, very
weak, unfit for any effort, either
physical or mental, often has head
aches, dizziness, great shortness of
breath, severe palpitations of heart,
pains in stomach, heartburn and
often perverted appetite for such
things as clay, etc. These have been
known as "clay-eaters. % 1t is not
necessary for a person to have all
these symptoms for him or her TO
have hookworm disease.
1t does not require over four
treatments, given one week apart,
to effect cure. Even those severely
infected become strong and we'll,
soon regain normal color, etc. The
treatment is harmless. Anyone
suffering from any of above symp-
toms should be examined.