The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1921-08-05
SMALL DANGER FROM PELLAGRA
IN FLORIDA

IN EECHIGA
In view Of the fact that pellagra is
said 70 be IN almost epidemic form
Throughout the South. the state Board
OF Health Of Florida wishes ii TO be
known that SO far as Florida is con-
cerned this disease is but slightly
prevalent here.
Statistics show that during the last
four years deaths from this disease
have greatly decreased But in
order that the people Of Florida may
be able TO recognize this disease and
know what to DO to escape it. the
State Board Of Health is distributing
throughout the state literature de-
scrlbing the disease. it's cure. pre-
ventfon and method Of treatment.
II is net contagious or infectious
The exact origiK CT pelIagra IS
still unknown but recent investiga-
tfons By the United States Public
Health Service seem 70 show almost
coneIusiyely that the disease is due
to a continued lack for long periods
Of time, Of the necessary variety OF
the daily diet.
No single article CT focd has been
shown to BE the cause OF pelIagra.
Pellagra produces three distinct
groups Of symptoms the skin
symptoms. ca the gastrointestinal
symptoms. tmouth. stomach. mites
tines. and the tsl nervous and mental
symptoms.
CD The skin symptoms appear as
dark reddish. scaIy eruption, usually
On the expose s11-ace O. the body.
as the backs 81 the hands and fore
arms, the feet and legs. Less often
the eruption occurs On the neck and
other portions of the body A pc
gcuIiarity Of this eruption is the fact
that ii is practically aIwaEs symme-
trical On the two sides OF the body.
] IL The gastrO-intestinzI symp-
toms manifest themselves in the
mouth, stomach and intestines. The
mouth becomes sore and OF q bright
er color. red. The tongue is sore and
usually shows a cracked fssuersd
edge. any one or number OF diff
fereni stomach complaints may be %
served. Tne patient usually complains
of indigestion. Diarrhea is otter
characteristic IN that it begins early
in the morning and continues until
middle Of the day, when il ceases en-
tirely-
t3l The nervous and menta
lsympt0ms usually appear IN the later
stages Of the disease. and may var.
from mild nervous manifestation
TO violent mania A very large pro
portion Of all cases terminate in insan
lily. MeIanchclia IS probably the typ<
Of insanity most frequently observed
Treatment and Prevention
Tn view Of the results OF the studies
by the United States Public Health
| service. the treatment as well as ths
prevention OF the disease had bes'
be instituted along dietetic lines.
a more varied diet including milk
4 eggs. FISH, meat and vegetables IS I'd
4 vised. The leguninous plants, sgec
/ tally beans. are said to Dc OF IN
i usual valpe IN the diet Of peIlagrins
lit is to be hoped that father stud
lies viii reveal more definite infor
nation regarding the causation AM
treatment Of this disease For TN
present, however. the theory outlines
| above would seem to have brough
4 other OF the widely differing view
which have been advanced concern
Ing this malady
II Deaths from pelIagra IN the state
Florida By years from ISL 10 1sz
and for the frsr SIX months OF 1872
wear 1877, deaths us; year 1sIs
deaths Isl: year 1918, deaths rs
Evsar 1890. deaths III SIX month
|f~nn@ 1~r<&~u a.