New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-01
DISEASE AFTER DISEASE CONQUERED
s,allnox Asiac Cholera Leprosy Bubonc Plague Berber
Malaria and Other Scourges Either Wholly Eliminated
or Greatly Reduced, Hospitals Established and
Extended and Insanary Customs labooed.
By Dean c. Worcester.

,1orable. and the inhabitants were
aecimated at frequent intervals by
widespread epidemics of disease.
Smallpox was regarded as a neces-
sary ailment Of childhood, and 1t proved
necessary TO enact legislation prohibit
tho deliberate incubation with it in
order TO prevent parents from giVihs
., 90 their children. We have made
some ten million vaccinations. and the
annual deaths from smallpox have de-
creased from more than forty thou
sand at the outset to seven hundred for
the year Just ended.
We were told that there were thirty
thousand lepers in the islands. In 1919
We began to isolate and care for them.
Many supposed lepers were found to De
suffering from durable ailments and
were promptly restored to society. The
real lepers actually numbered. approx
imately six thousand. While few
hundred were being humanely cared
for. a considerable number had been
driven into the forests or had been iso-
.ated on remote and otherwise unin-
habited Islands. where they were per-
ishing miserably from fever, hunger
and thirst. The remainder wandered
practically at will spreading the dis
ease broadcast.
All known lepers are now well cared
for at Culion, a healthful, sanitary
town. with good streets, excellent water
and sewer systems, many modern con-
crete buildings and a fine hospital. The
total number has already decreased TO
approximately three thousand, and II
the present policy is continued leprosy
should soon disappear from the Philip
pines.
The archipelago was periodically
swept by frightful epidemics Of Asiatic
cholera. which was endemic in certain
swampy regions near Manila. The SUI
perstitious practices formerly employed
10 combat il have now largely given
way 10 simple, inexpensive and ef1ec-
tive hygienic measures, with the fol-
lowing results: In 1902 cholera caused
5000 deaths: in 1903, -. 145; in 1908.
1851; in 1909. 1906; in 1910. $40;
in 1911, 2O3: in 1872, none; in 1913,
there have been none thus far. The
apparently hopeless task Of Kidding the
Philippines Of endemic cholera has been
accomplished.
Manila is distant but a few DAYS
travel from several Of the great Orien-
tai bubOnic plague centres. When civil
government was established plague
prevailed az Manila, Cavite and Cebu
and was threatening 10 become cpl
demic. We inaUgurated war Of ex-
termination age 'Lst il. In 1901 il
caused 427 deaths, in 1902, 10; in 1903,
la; in 1914, IS; in 1905, 40; in 1906
Z; in 1907. none, and from 1907 until
1912. none. In the latter year il was
reintroduced, probably by rats hidden
in crates Of vegetables, appearing al
most simultaneously at IloilO and
Manila. In the former place 1t was
eradicated with a total Of nine deaths.
In Manila there have been but forty
six deaths, and we have had but one
case in the last forty-six days Had
we lot attacked this outbreak OF
plague instantly and effectively the
disease would have spread like fire in
prairie grass. causing untold suffering
and great financial loss.
During the last year pneumonia
plague. which is variably fatal has
been repeatedly stopped at Quaran.
tine.
a few years ago amPbic dysentery
wrought sad havoc among our soldiers
and civil government employees. Care.
full scientific Investigations have taught
US the best methods Of combating IL
and. in consequence. deaths amonl
Americans have been reduced TO an al
most negligible minimum. Filipinoi
willing to opt the simple precautions
which have been proved adequate ma!
also enjoy immunity.
Malaria was killing as many persons
as did smallpox. Its ravages have beer
greatly reduced by giving away an
nually millions Of doses of quinine anC
by draining or slraying with petro
Ieum places where mosquitoes breed.
The mystery which so long surround.
ed beriberi has been dispelled. We now
know that it was caused by eating toe
much polished rice. II formerly killed
some 1000 people and disabled 5000
or Oo'Vp annually. The use of poi.
lshed rice in government institutions
mas been discontinued and beriberi has
completely disappeared among the en-
ployes and inmates. The adoption n
similar policy in feeding the Philip
pine Scouts has been attended with
similar results. We have shown the
Filipinos how to rid their country -,
beriberi without mourning a cent ~
expense.
In Spanish days cholera Ienrosv
smallpox and other dangerous com.
municable diseases were constantly in.
PRODUCED from without. The Irni,ad
States Public Health and Marine Hos
pital Service has stretched its defen-
sive line around the archipelago and