The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-08-05
FRIDAY, AUGUST 5, 1921
A BETTER COURSE.

The representatives in congress
from Southern states have been hav-
ing a good deal to say lately with re-
gard to the. reports about the pella-
era situation in the South. 1t is
claimed that the reports have greatly
exaggerated the real facts in the
case, and that pellagra is not now so
prevalent with us, nor in other South
ern states, as to make the situation
alarming.
Perhaps some wrong may have been
done the South by these reports. We
are persuaded, however, that there
has been no intentional wrong done
rs by the United States Public
Health Department, nor by any other
agency of the administration. 1t is
permissible to protest against re-
ports which do not show the true sit
uation. But We are persuaded, at
tie same time, that II were well that
we make a survey Of the situation
ourselves and ascertain whether or
not, even if the facts have been ex-
aggerated as claimed, there is not
bass for the reports. r.
The best advised medical authori-
t es are not yet fully informed as
to causes Of pellagra, we believe, but
the consensus of opinion is that it is
due in large measure to an improper
diet. The truth Of this IS indicated
: the localities where it has been
prevalent. In localities and sections
and in cases where there has been no
balanced diet for the laboring peo-
ple, the disease has been most preya-
lent. During the war when everybody
at home was making money, and when
people had the luxuries Of life as
WILL as all the necessities, the disease
disappeared. This indicates to US that
the doctors have been on the right
track in seeking the causes Of the dis
ease. Perhaps in a few years they
may be- able to make more specific
statements with regard to causes,
hut even then we think it will be
found that they have not heretofore
been far wrong.
If that be the case, we say there
is cause for alarm in this section, and
the representatives Of the people
would do well, while they are cor
fecting reports which are misleading,
TO: join with the health authorities in
preventing a spread Of this disease
again. We say there is cause for
alarm. We say so for the reason that
people in the industrial communities
are not now receiving the salaries
and wages which they did receive
during the war. They are almost back
at, pre-war basis. If we take into
consideration the fact that it is hard
for people who have enjoyed this and
the other luxury to give it up and to
60 back to doing without it, then we
may safely say that the people are
not receiving more of the necessities
ofllife than in the pre-war period. If
that be the case the danger is that
people again will begin to subsist on
things which are cheaper; they VIII
III back i mad,tmsst sapd molas
N, n each q which h Is a good food, BIT
fhe combination of which does moi
give the people who eat nothing else
we'll balanced ration. The result OF
eating only these things is that pei
lagra is likely to follow, and in 6
little while the alarming conditions
which once prevailed with people ir
industrial communities and in othei
places will be again present.
For the reason that we believe the
above statements to be facts we thinl
the people should join in asking tht
representatives in congress to furth
er in every way any efforts made b!
any agency looking to a prevention
of a recurrence of this disease
amongst our people. 1t is no disgrace
to be poor when the people canno
help themselves. The past year ha