Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-04-28
So -75 PCT Of SICKNESS
IN COUNTY NAL ARIAL
SURVEY DISCL OSES
Thirty Per Cent of Children In
Rural Schools Here Suffering
From Maiarial Infection
COUNTY IS UNATTRACTIVE
Homeseekers Won't Come Here
So Tor0 AS Present Alarming
Health Conditions Exist
Ry DR.. ]. A. LePRINCE
MALARIAL PREVALENCE.

Schools in Various parts of the
county were visited and the children
report having had chills and fever
Cor malaria) within the past year. In
five schools. visited about 80 per cert
CT the children reported having had
malaria.
1t is realized that this information
is rot accurate but Mt the same time,
it is decidedly suggestive, and young
cbildren were having chills in school
during the time this data was being
collected.
The physicians practicing between
Cobb at the eastern end and at Plains
in the western section of the county,
report that IN the malaria season
from 80 to IS per cent of their cases
are malaria. The average rate re-
ported over SO per cent. Some ply
sicians having large general prac-
tive report as high as rs per cent and
several state in some years as high
as 80 per cent Of their cases have
malaria.
With such conditions existing, it is
not at all surprising that the county
and its towns have a sub-normal de-
velopment. The situation is unat-
tractive to home seekers and pro-
gressive demonstrating to locate in
the South. There are other counties
in this and other states, where they
can locate and remain more healthy
throughout the year.
Suggestions and Recommendation.
One Of the most important reasons
why so little has been done up to
date to remedy these conditions is
that there is no definite organized
association in Sumter county to in
terest the citizens and business inter
ests in such matters, and because they
have not been properly informed of
progress in other states and counties
where the rural population are doing
such work and reaping the financial
benefits.
Such work as is necessary can be
best accomplished through a county
mosquito determination association,
led by prominent farmers, citizens
and business men who are sufficient
ly interested in the public welfare
and desire to help in developing the
resources of this naturally rich
county.
AS soon as the Sumter county
mosquito determination association is
definitely organized, it should try and
obtain from the State Board of
Health well qualified sanitarian to
visit all parts of the county and de-
liver Illustrated talks on malaria con-
troi measures before farmers organ
izations, churchesx schools, clubs, pub
lie gatherings, etc, and get the peo-
pie thoroughly interested.
Also it should obtain from the
same source supervisory assistance.
If such is not available, it should find
out why not and take definite stems
to see that it is made available.
To make the work of the organiza-
ton the success it should be. the
members should interest and obtain
the cooperation of their friends and
create a permanent interest in the
progress achieved.
The officers of the association
should see to it that all members are
well posted on the life cycle, habits,
etc, of the disease bearing mosnui-
toes and also on field control meas
ures. Visits to the field occasionally
to see what is being done, and yet to
be done, will arouse increased inter
est. We should all know what is be-
ing done, how it is being done, why.
and what it costs.
During the present season each
member should use all the influence
and persuasion he can toward having
easily drained MOSQUITO breeding
places in the county eliminated.
The county should be divided into
districts witt leader in each dis
trict to see thai easily drained places
a~o given attention, or the owners
Visited and persuaded to take uD9
work % soon as convenient. T. would
be we'll for the district leaders 10
Continued on Page Two.)