The Cordele dispatch. (Cordele, Ga.) 19??-1971, 1917-11-25
duction and results In serious eco

@ hItiho oiDS"h VI eiiS Pi~S~i'ff Nt'J :
There never was a time when pre-
duction was in such need of stimula-
ton and when ablebodied men and
women were in such demand. Every
case of malaria typhoid fever or other
efficiency reducing disease among
the productive population means that
the output Of food is apreciably re-
duced and that the shortage is meas
urably increased A large part Of the
lands in the richest sections Of the
South, and TO a less extent in the
North as well, is today partially or
wholly unproductive on account of
being ogerrun with malaria with a
consequent loss Of millions of dollars.
1t is entirely feasible to reclaim these
lands and thus increase the nations
output. In certain areas the working
ability Of the population has been so
affected by this disease that not only
is there a shortage of growing crops
but also of lumber, cotton and other
manufactured goods The moving OF
agricultural and manufacturing hands
into these districts would not mater
tally improve the situation as the
newcon crs would suffer a loss of eff
cheney fully as great as that OF the
older residents. However, if coordi-
mated, intelligent and well directed
effort is instituted this serious econ
cmic handicap under which we are
laboring can be easily overcome. Al
ready examples of individual accom-.
pIishmert along this line are plenti-
full
At Crossett, Ark, town Of 1000
people, the United States Public
Health Service working in cCopera-
ticn wil the International Health
Beard, in one season reduced the Incl
dence OF malaria by over SoG The
cost of the work was $123 per person
less than what one would have paid
fer a single visit of physician; this,
too, in oQe of the worst malarious dis
tricts of the country At Lake Vii
lage, Ark, the annual financial losses
sustained by people protected against
malaria averaged but 23 cents per
family, as reckoned from money ex-
pended for physicians and medicine
and absence from work on account
CT sickness. In the same town the
neighbor5 of hese citizens who en-
ployed no control measures against
the diseGsa sustained an annual loss
OF $ll2y per family, to say nothing
of the economic less resulting from
decreased efficiency. One of the pro
gressive railroads west OF the Missis-
sippi river foresaw this problem, and
apropria ed funds to keep its employ
ccs free from malaria in order TO
maintain its working force at the top
notch Of efficiency The State of Mis-
sissippi has also inaugurated active
steps which will lead to an increased
output from each farm an dother eff
forts altng SIMILAR lines are being
made.
If this same active interest in ma
larial control can be extended gener-
ally this disease, which has been a
severe handicap 10 the development
of certain regions, can be checked
and bumper crops produced. Tremen-
deus opportunities in this regard are
open to declarations of women's clubs,
chambers of commerce, civic leagues
and farmers organizations, and all
such effort will be repaid hundred
fold. Tae principles governing ma
larical eradication are inexpensive,
easy CT application, and easily under
stood by any citizen CT average intel
ligence. SO important does the gov
eminent consider this work, partic-
ularly in view of the necessity of
cultiva;ing every foot of ground dur
ing the ccming year, that steps have
been taken to have the Public Health
Service prepare and distribute di-
rections as to how it may be accomp-
lished. Any farmer who is even re-
motedy interested in the problem can
write to the government and obtain
his information free of charge