The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-15
CAUSE AND SYMPTOMS OF HOOK
WORM DISEASE.
More Than $4,000 Persons Have
Been Treated I'm South Carolina.

been treated IN South Carolina.
HookwOrm disease is caused by
small, round worm which measures
about half in anch in length and has
the thickness of an ordinary hair-pin.
1T enters the body in a stage at which
1t is invisible to the naked eye usual
ly through the skin, thereby produc-
ing ground-'rch, and makes it's way
to the intestine, and becomes full
grown. The parasite then feeds up
on the blood Of the host, causes bleed
ing places in 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 enter
ing the body. Outside the body they
live in the soil. And in turn they get
into the soil only through soil con-
tamination with the bowel discharges
Of 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
races.
Mild.
Symptoms Ground-itch is the first
symptom, but is of comparatively lit
tie importance. The symptoms follow
ing ground-itch will depend upon the
number of worms present and the
strength Of the individual. The num-
ber of hookworms in persons infected
thousand and more They do not null
tiply in the body.
In a mild case Of hookworm dis
ease there may be no physical
changes in the person indicating the
presence 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 in
digestion or dyspepsia, may have
headaches. heartburn, pains in the
bad feeling.
Severe.
In q case that is still more severe
the person infected is markedly pale,
due to the loss Of blood, often sallow,
face puffed, poorly developed, body
and limbs showing impairment in
growth; puny; abdomen prominent,
suffers often from weakness, head
aches, dizziness, symptoms of indiges-
ton as already mentioned, shortness
Of breath and palpitations of the
heart. Appetite, with some poor;
others ravenous.
In q very severe case of hookw orm
disease the person infected is extreme
~ pale, SailOW, race puffed, Stunted IN
growth, dropsical; very weak, unfit
for any effort, either physical or men,
tai; often has headaches, dizziness,
great shortness of breath, severe pal
pitations of heart; pains in stomach,
heartburn, and often perverted appe-
tite for such things as clay, ETC. These
have been known as clay eaters" 1t
is not necessary for q person to have
all these symptoms for him or her to
have hookworm disease.
1t seldom requires over four treat
ments, given one week apart, to effect
Il cure. Even those severely infected
become strong and well, soon regain
a normal color, etc. The treatment is
harmless. Anyone suffering from any
of above symptoms should be exam
ined.
Your county and your state Board
Of Health will treat you free.
Ask your doctor about it.
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