Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-03-14
HookwOrm DiseaSs A Danger.
Gus MAlady,

Gus malay
For many generations hOokworm dis
ease has made insIdiouS strides In the
tropical and sub-troplcal countries OF
the world. Every country on the face
Of the globe is today making an effort
to stamp 1t out, for It has been conclu-
sIvely proven that 1t was a dangerous
disease. This disease not only destroys
the vitality Of the person infected and
renders him incapable Of being a good
citizen, but IL opens the way for other
and more serious diseases. 1t has been
proven that our high death rate is due
indirectly TO this disease, because the
resisting powers Of the body are weak
ened and other diseases are contracted
much more easily.
The campaign that was Instituted in
this county some few weeks ago has
been a great success. Over two thous-
and people have been examined already
and while the infection has been ex-
ceedingly light some very severe cases
have been found. In one instance an
entire family in the southwestern part
Of the county was found heavily in
fected. This family consisted OF eight
members and some Of the children
showed grave symptoms, such as ex-
IRENE palor, stunted growth, dry hair
and glistening eyes and a general de-
pressed condition Of the body, mentally
and physically. In n case the limbs
and abdomen were dropsical and the
patient complained Of constant pain In
the stomach. This family has been
treated and we hope to report that they
have been cured In two weeks from
this date.
There are hundreds Of such 8 in
this county. Why should we allow
them to suffer when they can be cured
in two or three weeks? There are ad-
ults in this county who have lived q
life Of suffering on account of this dis
ease alone. Some Of the most common
symptoms in adults are as follows: Loss
Of vitality, recurrent bilious attacks,
indigestion and oftentimes constipation,
pain in the pit of stomach constantly,
tired, dull, drowsy feeling. These pa
tienls usually realize that there ia
something the matter, but they can't
tell what.
We have examined large number OF
he school children in the county al
ready and we are anxious to examine az
many more as possible. The roads have
,een such that the Director could not
visit the schools as has been the Gus.
tom heretofore. have mailed spcci.
men containers to a large number Of
the schools already and expect to senc
them to the others at an early date,
The patrons Of these schools should bs
sufficiently interested in their children
to see to 1t that they prepare these
specimens and return them to thu
teacher who will send them to the lab
oratory here.
The diagnosis can only be made BY
microscopical examination. Where tn,
symptoms are marked we often suspect
that a person Is infected. but we cauno'
tell definitely. Everybody in the coun
ty should be examined whether 20.
think that you are infected or not
Oftentimes the healthy, robust person
is infected and they may not have an.
symptoms either objective or subjective
and we call such cases hookworm CARR
ers. because they are polluting the sol
and injecting others. SO they are jus
as harmful to their neighbours as a cas-
showing extreme symptoms.
The work in this county will onl,
last a few more weeks. If you wis
to be examined and live a long way
from the central ~dispensary simpl
write me at Macon and state the nun
Der you wish to have examined and tn
containers will be mailed you with fu'
directions. 1t is not necessary to Sc
the person as all examinations are mad
microscopically.
Trusting that the extreme interes
that is being manifested at presen
will continue throughout the entir
campaign. l remain,
Yours very truly.
C. c. BUCHANAN, M. D.,
Assistant Director Of Public Healt
!, and Sanitation.