The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1916-06-29
u 8: 3: :: :; :: :; :: :: {: :: :: :: :: {.
:: PREVENTION OF PElLAGRA !:
::
, Z: y {. :. :: :: :. {. :. :. :. :. ?: :. =

(By State Board of Healthy
rmring recent years there has been
marked increase in the number Of
pellagra victims in the south and
certain sections of the southwest,
While the increast in Oklahoma has
by no means been alarming there are
enough cases to make the disease one
of the serious medical problems Of
the day. 1t is only comparatively
short time since pellagra was recog-
nized as serious disease in this
theories We're held as to its cause.
AS long as the fundamental cOuses
for pellagra were in doubt little could
be done in the way of prevention.
Fortunately careful investigation has
solved many of the puzzling features
of pellagra and experts are pretty
well agreed as to the conditions
which cause the disease and how to
remedy them.
Recently DR.. Joseph Goldberger
surgeon in the United States Public
Health Service and one of the fore
most authorities in the country on
pellagra, made number of valuable
experiments on the causes for pella-
gra. These experiments were con-
Quoted in two orphan asylums near
Jackson Miss, and in one of the larg-
est insane asylums in Georgia. In
each place there were a number OF
pellagra victims and attacks of the
disease were of yearly recurrence.
AS a result of these experiments
1t was demonstrated that pellagra
was due to a restricted diet-a diet
in which there was noted a dispro-
portionately small amount of lean
meat or other animal protein food, so
that the vegetable component, in
which biscuits (wheat flour, grits,
meal (corn), and syrup were promi-
nent and legumes relatively inconspic-
uous. formed disproportionately
part of the ration.
When the diet was changed to one
in which meats, milk and legumes
were more prominent is was found
that pellagra almost completely dis
appeared
1t has been found that pellagra is
most prevalent among the poorer
classes, where the foods used are
apt to be those least expensive and
most easily obtained. Recommends
tions made by Dr. Goldberger to rem
edy the conditions resulting in pella-
gra were as follows:
First. an increase in the diet of
fresh animal and leguminous foods,
particularly during the late winter
and spring.
A-Ownership of milk COW and
increase in milk production for home
consumption.
B-Poultry and egg raising for
home consumption.
C-Stock raising.
D-Diversification and the cultlVa-
tion of food crops (including an ade-
uuate pea patch) in order in mini
mize the disastrous economic effects
of a crop failure ana to make food
cheaper and more readily available,
E-Making these foods as accessl'
BILE as possible in the more or less
isolated industrial communities by
providing markets, particularly but
cher shops, throughout the year
eecond-a reduction in the amount
of carbohydrate Cstarchy) foods used
in diet.
A-Improve economic conditions;
increase wages, reduce unemploy-
ment.
B-Make the other class of foods
(non-starchy) cheap and readily ac-
cessible.
Another experiment conducted at
the Mississippi state Penitenuary
corroborated the theory that pelagra
is due to restricted diet and can
be cured by proper food. Free par
dons were granted to number Of
long term conyicts on conditions that
they volunteer for the experiments.
First they were fed on the restricted
diet. Within comparatively short
time a large percentage Of pellagra
cases developed. Then the diet was
changed. Without exception every
case was cured.
The greatest difficulty in the ELM
ination Of pellagra is not medicinal
but economic. 1t is most prevalent
in the southern mill towns. In those /