Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-09-25
HOOK WORM THE
MENACE TO
Activities of the Scourge and
Methods Recommended For
determination.

OCner insects are responsible
for the deaths of thousands of
persons annually, but these
pests combined do not constitute as
alarming Il menace to mankind as does
the hookworm. according to DR.. Mel
son Du Val Brecht. former assistant
surgeon of the United States public
health service. who is writing Il series
Of articles dealing with public health
questions.
The activities Of this parasitic in
sect, for the eradication of which John
D. Rockefeller has established a fund
of 81, 900 and methods which may
be employed for combating hookworm
disease. are described by DR.. Brecht in
the following article:
"Hookworm disease has become a
national public health problem in the
United States since DR.. Charles War
dell Stiles of the United States public
health service demonstrated in 1902
that it was endemic in many states
and the cause Of the common anaemia
Of the south. At about the same time
Ashford, King and Igaravidez discov-
cred that over one-ifth Of the popula-
the disease. These discoveries were
followed by the donation of $1,O0O,OO0
by John D. Rockefeller to be used for
its eradication in the southern states.
Fund Largely Increased.
Recently it has beer announced that
the sum Of 500, 100000 has been sub
scribed by a number of wealthy phi
lanthropists for the purpose of stamp
ing out anaemia of native races over
the entire world. AS hookworm dis
ease is one Of the commonest causes
and probably the greatest cause of
anaemia in the human race, a large
share of this fund will be employed
for its treatment and prevention.
"Hookworm disease is known also
as u%ncinariasis. ankylostomiasis, min
ers' anaemia, Egyptian chlorosis, Egyp-
tan green sickness. miners c%achexia.
miners disease. Porto Rico anaemia,
~. NOludlu > ILL uISCoSC, CoAhASA
disease. tunnel anaemia. tropical chic
rosis, tropical green sickness, dochmoi-
sis. bricklayers' anaemia. mountain
anaemia, besides Il host of local names.
It is n Of the most ancient dis
eases known to man, for it was de.
scribed by Egyptian scribes $500 years
ago. 1t is one of the most widely dis
tributed diseases, and it's geographical
range comprises practically the entire
globe.
"Hookworm disease is found in Afri-
ca, North America, South America.
Central America, the West Indies, Ha-
wall, Asia and the Philippine Islands.
1t is found in nearly all of the states
of the Union as far north as New
York. The original home Of the hook
worm was, in all probability, Africa.
and it was first introduced to the West
Indies and Atlantic seaboard of the
United States by the importation OF
negroes as slaves from the dark con-
tinent.
Brought by Travellers.
"It has entered the Pacific coast
states and Mexico through immigra-
ton from Hawaii, China. Japan, the
Philippines and India and through
transcontinental travel from the east
coast. Soldiers. sailors and civilians
returning from our insular possessions
have brought with them their share
Of the disease.
"Hookworm disease is the greatest
enemy of the human race in the trop-
ics-greater even thar cholera or
plague. 1t has been the o disa-
bling Of all diseases in the Egyptian
army. as we'll as the greatest cause for
the rejection Of recruits. In Egypt the
parasite of the disease is found at
nearly every postmortem. Upon arrival
Of many vessels at Pacific coast ports
Of the United States 100 per cent OF
the oriental coolie passengers Chinese,
to be infected.
"These facts alone justify the exclu-
sion Of this class Of people according
to the immigration laws of the United
States and partially explain the an
tipathy of the citizens of California to
their presence.
"Hookworm disease has been found
among the mines Of Pennsylvania and
has prevailed in Maryland and Vir-
ginia, has been especially prevalent in
Florida and Georgia. and some cases
have occurred in the District of Colum-
bia. In portions of India IS per cent
of the population are affected, in Cey-
Ion it's ravages are said to be more
serious than Asiatic cholera, and in
Assam it is almost universal. 300
cases having been found in 800 necrop-
sizes. Alden states that 22.5 per cent
of the total death rate of Porto Rico
is due to this disease.
Poverty Caused by It.
"Osler states that in Porto Rico in
1903. among a total Of 23.433 deaths.
5.73G were from hookworm disease.
The mortality and financial loss caused