The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-12-18
DISEASE PREVENTION.
Is Of Great Economic Importance, say
u. S. Public Health Service.


The annual report of the surgeon gem
eral of the United States public health
service records the largest amount OF
work performed in the history OF that
organization. Since the passage OF the
law of 1912 the public health functions
of the service have materially broadened,
thereby increasing greatly its useful
ness to the American people. Throughout
the report the economic Importance OF
disease prevention is made apparent to
the reader.
Perhaps the most important achieve
ment of the year was the discovery that
pelagra is deprivation disease, re-
sulting from faulty diet containing
an excess OF carbohydrates. While the
final experiments which led to this dis
covery have only recently been com
pleted, the conclusion itself is the cul-
mination OF Investigations extending
over a period of seven years. The work
has consisted of archaeological field
studies, actual feeding experiments con-
Quoted at numerous places in Georgia
and Mississippi, and experimental re-
search at Spartanburg, 5. e., and other
places.
A new national quarantine station
was opened at Galveston, Tex, and the
control of the Boston station was trans
ferred to the public health service. A
great reduction in immigration has been
observed during the year, with a cores
ponding increase in the number OF aliens
certified At the port of New York, the
percentage has risen from 2.29, previous
to the development of the European con-
fiict, to 5.37 since that time; this in
crease largely being due to the fact that
with the decreased immigration more
time can be devoted to the examination
The number of cases treated at marine
hospitals and relief stations exceeded
So, 600. $4,000 of which were hospital
patients, considerable increase over
previous years. The coast guard cutter
aAndroscoggin" was fitted out as hos
pital ship and now affords relief TO deep
sea fishermen on the banks of Newfound-
land.
On the occurance of plague at New Or
leans, the first outbreak upon the Gulf
seaboard, the state and local health au-
thorites requested the public health
service to take charge of the situation.
Extensive rat-proofng and other anti
plague measures were undertaken, re.
sulting in the eradication of the disease
from among human beings, and the prae-
teal determination of the rodent in
lection.
Great reduction in the incidence OF
malaria was obtained in localities where
surveys were conducted. Drainage pro-
iects, rice culture studies and the con.
ditions surrounding the impounding OF
water for power purposes were investi'
gated in order to eradicate as far as pos
sible the disease in these areas. Scien-
tifc Investigations of malaria infection
showed that in the latitude of this coun-
try the most important agent in carrying
the infection through the winter season
is man, and not the infected, alternating,
Anopheles mosquitoes as was previous
ly supposed. From the standpoint OF
prevention this is a discovery Of consid-
cradle value.
Studies Of 'occupational diseases and
industrial hygiene were instituted at
several places during the year. A sur
vey OF the industries Of Cincinnati was
made 20 determine the cause Of the pre-
valenoe Of tuberculosis among indus
trial workers. The investigations re-
lating TO the migration Of persons suffer.
ing from tuberculosis were completed.
Upon the request Of the health author
titles OF five states, the organization and
operations Of the respective boards Of
health were studied and recommends.
lions advanced for improvement in the
powers and duties OF these bodies. The
health organizations of several cities
were likewise investigated.
Investigations Of the pollution Of
streams and the examination Of shellfish
we're also conducted.
Trachoma was combsted in the Appal-
achian mountains. where Il is most pre-
valent, over 1900 cases being treated
Surveys in certain states during the
year showed that the disease u not an
uncommon infection.
Rural sanitation work was conducted
in six different states and everywhere
resulted in the reduction Of typhoid and
other communicable Diseases.
Public health laboratories for the pre-.
vention Of the interstate spread Of dis
ease were established at Chicago, Seat-
tie. and numerous other railway centers.