Martinsburg W Va evening journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1913-1920, 1916-04-03
THE PREVENTION OF
PELLAGRk DISCUSSED
Spring Diet Determines Sum-
mer Symptoms, He Declared.


season of the year is the chief factor
in the production OF pellagra Meas
ures to prevent the development OF
the disease should be instituted dur
ing the early spring months, accord
ing to circular of information is
sued today by the United States Pub
lie Health Service. While the mani
festations of pellagra are in most
cases not in evidence until June or
July, the condition invariably dates
from faulty diet of earlier months.
Therefore. il due precautions are eX-
ercised by individuals at the present
time the havoc wrought by this
scourge may be greatly lessened, if
not entirely eliminated
Danger Signals.
The report further calls attention
to certain danger signals which should
be recognized by those who reside in
pellagrous districts or those who have
had previous attacks of the disease.
Among such warning symptoms are
textreme nervousness or change in the
mental characteristics OF the indyid-
ual Weakness or debility dis
Iclination 10 undertake the ordinary
! daily tasks, and unexplained diges-
tive symptoms may all be Fremont
tory signs These symptoms do not,
of COURSE. necessarily mean the de
vclopment Of pellagra but taken in
connection with the history of a one
sided. monetonous. diet they serve
as a definite warming OF the possibili-
ties Of its onset
Spring Diet.
The diet recommended by the
health service for the prevention OF
pellagra will not produce results ii
followed for a week or ten days only,
j but If continuously and consistent
! " used under circumstances similar
to its administration in the various
/ institutions where the experimental
! tests nave bttl pei IVA AItN II WAL
protect the individual. against the de
velopment of the disease. Necessar-
I ily, a rigid UNMARRIED diet is wholly
undesirable and the menu recommend
ed is only to indicate in a general way
the character Of the food TO be pre-
scribed Frequently the element of
poverty, inaccessihility to market
supplies, or even pGsonal idtesyn-
Grassy. may require some modification
of the diet table, SO that strict adher-
ence to its components may not in
all respects be practicable. The OBJ
/ iect of the diet as submitted is TO
minimize the consumption of the car
bo-hydrate (starehy and SWEET foods
and to increase the amount of fresh
animal protein and of fresh legumes
/ (peas and beans1
The breakfast, for example, should
consist OF oatmeal and cream, with
out sugar with either ham or break
/ fast bacon and two eggs Not more
than two thin slices of whole wheat
bread should be taken. preferably un
/ toasted Hot bread or biscuits are
/ inadvisable A glass of fresh milk is
to accompany the breakfast and eth
/ er oranges or grape fruit may be the
/ initial course The dinner should
consist OF either pea or bean soup,
prepared from dried peas or beans,
with meat stock The meat may
be beef, pork. ham chicken, veal or
mutton. prepared in whatever man
ner is the most appetizing preference
being given TO roasting or broiling
rather than frying. Hamburger steak.
meat hash or fish may be substitute
ed to afford variety Care should be
exercised that the meats are not
oyerdone. or vegetables, Irish pota-
toes. boiled in the packet or baked,
cabbage. turnip or mustard green's,
collards and lettuce, are 10 be rec
commended For dessert. stewed,
fresh or dried fruit VIII prove sur
dceint, The dinner should be accom-
panied by not moro than two thin
slices OF whole wheat bread and a
glass OF huttermak The supper
should consist OF pork and beans or
baked beans properly seasoned the
usual amount OF bread and a glass OF
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