Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1915-12-19
REPORT OF SURGEON GENERAL.

amount OF WOTh p3fIOTmeu III the MS
tory of that organization. Since the
passage of the law of 1912 the public
health functions of the Service have
materially broadened, thereby increas-
ing greatly its usefulness to the Am
erican people. Throughout the report
the economic importance of disease
prevention is made apparent to the
reader.
Perhaps the most important achi-
eI ement fthe year was the discov-
cry that pellagra is deprivation dis
ease, resulting from a faulty diet con-
While the final experiments which led
to this discovery have only recently
been completed, the conclusion itself
is the elimination of Investigations
extending over period of seven
years. The work has consisted of cpl
Neurological field studies, actual feed
ing experiments conducted at numer-
GUS places in Georgia and Mississippi,
and experimental research at Spartan
burg, South Carolina land other plac>
es.
A new national quarantine station
was opened at Galveston, Texas, and
the control Of the Boston station was
transferred to the Public Health Ser
vice. A great reduction in immigra-
ton has been observed during the
year, with corresponding increase in
the number Of aliens certified. At the
Port Of New York, the percentage has
risen from 2.29, previous to the devef-
opment of the European conflict, to
5.37 since that time; this increase
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 Mar
inc Hospitals and relief stations ex-
ceeded $4,000, $4,000 of which were
hospital patients, considerable in
crease over previous years. The Coast
Guard Cutter "Androscoggins" was
fitted out as hospital ship and now
affords relief to deep sea fishermen on
the Banks of Newfoundland.
On the occurrence of plague at New
Orleans, the first outbreak upon the
Gulf seaboard the State and local
health authorities requested the Pub
lie Health Service to take charge of
the situation. Extensive rat-proofing
and other anti-plague measures We're
undertaken, resulting in the eradica-
ton of the disease from among hui
man beings, and the practical EXTERN
ination of the rodent infection.
Great reduction in the incidence of
malaria was obtained in localities
where surveys were conducted. Drain
age projects, rice culture studies and
the conditions surrounding the i'm
pounding of water for power purpos-
es were investigated in order to Grad
icate as far as possible the disease in
these areas. Scientific Investigations
of malarial infection showed that in
the latitude of this country the most
important agent in carrying the in
lection through the winter season is
man, and not the infected, alternating,
Anopheles mosquitoes as was prev
lousy supposed. From the standpoint
of prevention this is a discovery of
considerable value.
Studies of occupational diseases
and industrial hygiene were institut-
ed at several places during the year.
A survey Of the industries of Cincin-
natl was made to determine the cause
of the prevalence of tuberculosis
among industrial workers. The in
vestigat;ons relating to the migration
Of persons suffering from tuberculosis
were completed
Upon the request of the health au-
thorities of five states, the organiza4
ton and operating of the respective
boards of health were studied and
recommendations advanced for i'm
provements in the powers and duties
of these bodies. The health organiza-