Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise. (Pocomoke City, Md.) 1921-1953, 1921-01-08
MONSTER RULES
IN ASIA Minor
American Woman Physician Tells
of 0sman Agah, Known as
"Tyrant of Kerasoom."
ACKNOWLEDGES NO MASTER
Threatens to XIII Anyone Who Aids
Suffering ArmenIans In Any Way
Or. Norton Contracts Trachoma
While Treating Children.

New York.-If science eventually
succeeds in checking the ravages OF
trachoma, the scourge Of ancient
Egypt. and since the beginning Of his
tory one Of the most battling of human
ailments, the achievement will be due
in no small measure to DR.. Blanche
Norton, an American woman physician,
who herself contracted the disease
while treating Greek and Armenian or
phans in the Near East relief orphan
age in Kerasoom, little village on
the Asia Minor coast Of the Black sea.
Though suffering severely from
virulent attack of the malady, DR.. Nor
ton came to Constantinople, and dur
ing her treatment-one Of the most
painful known to physicians-she con-
tinued her efforts in behalf of the ira
chomous thousands of the Levant. AS
a result, a hospital has been opened
in the Sultan's capital capable of car
ing for about 400 Greek and Armenian
orphans at one time.
In recognition of her service at Ker-
asoom, where her patients were large
ly orphans of Greek parentage, the
Greek government conferred on her
the War Cross of King George-the
first woman to be so honored.
Is Per Cent Of Children Afflicted.
"Trachoma is more prevalent and
a greater menace than we realize,"
DR.. Norton declared on returning to
New York to complete her treatment.
"In the Armenia and Greek orphan
ages in Constantlnople an extensive
survey revealed more than % per cent
Of the children suffering from the dis
ease. In addition, there are thou
sands of adults and Turkish children
In the city who become infected"
The high degree of contagion of ira
choma, according to DIR. Norton, is one
of its worst aspects. She caught it
xhen one of the children she was
treating was seized with violent fit of
sneezing and shook a tiny molecule
of the discharge from his eyes into
hers.
Maybe 1t is a good thing that I
caught the disease, however" she said.
Il begin to think that sometimes it
Is well for doctor to suffer from the
disease he or she treats to any ex-
tent. Until had to undergo the treat
ment ! never realized the pain that /
inflicted on those tiny little waits in
the damp schoolhouse cellar in Kera-
SOON where they were segregated"
"Tyrant of kerasoom"
1t was while treating these orphans
that DIR. Norton met Osman Agah, "the
tyrant of Kerasoom," an erstwhile fish
erman who fought in the World war,
returned with a wooden leg, and be-
came hero in the eyes Of his towns
people.
HE is the most fearful creature I
ever saw" she said. 1.-THE native
Christians that have so far escaped his
wrath live in AFFECT terror of him and
of the band Of mountain robbers that
he has surrounded himself with.
Stew Armenians are left In the
town. Most Of them died of starva.
ton In the streets, with no one to help
them. For Osman had promised to
have killed Immediately anyone who
might dare to feed or aid them in any
way. He has placed oil and gasoline
all about the outskirts of the town
and had threatened to set 1t afire and
drag all the Greek population to the
mountains If allied warships or allied
troops attempt to move against him.
He Is holding the leading Greeks Of
the city as hostages. No Christian is
allowed to leave the city. Mustapha
Renal himself could not move him,
for Osman acknowledges no one to be
his master. He is the most absolute
tyrant that, believe, has existed since
the days of imperial Rome.
"The brigands that this creature has
gathered about him are at once the
most fearful and the most wonderful
group Of men have ever SEEN"