Evening star., 1923-07-29
SOUTH AMERICA BEHIND
In SANITARY MEASURES
DIR. T. D. Long Brings Back Picture OF
Conditions in Chile, Bolivia,
Peru and Ecuador.

the total deaths, with approximately
| third of ali children dying be-
fore attaining their first birthday. Is
| an outstanding feature of prevailing
poor health conditions in South
America. The greatest hope for i'm
proYement, DIR. Long states. lies in
the installation of public baths and
laundries for the free use of the
poorer classes, in order that they may
| learn the value of personal hygiene,
and through instruction In the pub
lie schools, the children may in turn
teach their parents the rudiments OF
simple sanitation. Installation of the
public health nursing service is an
other great need, DIR. Long states.
for through this service the mother
Is taught the proper care of her
child and at the same time infant
mortality rates are reduced; the idea
Of home hygiene win be inculcated.
thus improving the surroundings OF
the rest of the family as well.
May Establish school.
In Santiago. serious consideration
Is now being given to the establish
ment of superior school of hygiene
in connection with the University OF
Chile for the purpose of instruct
ing and preparing sanitary inspec
tors. visiting nurses and other per
sonnel for service throughout tine
republic. In addition. Chile plans to
send six young men to the United
States to take courses in public
health in order that they may re-
turn to Chile and devote all their
time to teaching and improving the
public health.
DR.. Long found the President OF
Bolivia greatly interested in public
health and sanitation, although this
n
or the people, who, ION account OF
their Isolation. have had no opportu-
nifty to learn what hygiene and sani-
tation mean. There is no hope OF
conditions there. DIR. Long says, until
more funds are available About the
only thing being contemplated there
at present is the installation Of
chlorine plant for the sterilization OF
city water and the esta blishment OF
visiting nurse service.
Predominating Fevers.
Typhus fever and typhoid fever arc
the predominating causes for infant
mortality in Bolivia. DIR. Long says.
and tuberculosis is present. Sanitary
conditions throughout Bolivia are as
bad. if not worse. than in La Pax
In Arequipa. Peru. while there were
no statistics, infant mortality was re-
ported as being excessive. In Mol
inadequate. with poor sewage dis
poSal facilities. Even in Lima the
capital of Peru. DR.. Long could And
no statisics worth while concern
ing morbidity. while mortality rates
were wholly lacking. 1t was esti-
mated. however. that the death rate
is about thirty-fve per thousand
with infant mortality excessive.
In Lima. however, az in Santiago.
DIR. Long said, there was a keen de-
ditions. not only among health au-
th6rities. but among the population
generally. DR.. Long was informed
in Lima that If the pan-American
Sanitary bureau could furnish ad-
vice and information it would he
gratefully received and recommenda-
tions would follow. as far as funds
would permit to carry them out.
Makes Recommendations.
| DR.. Long recommends. not only as
| regards Peru but other South Ameri.
can countries as well, that future
] efforts of the pan-American sanitary
/ bureau be directed along the lines of
supplying, far may be possible,
advice. assistance and information of
the type desired"
In Ecuador DIR. Long found the
health authorities handicapped by
lack of funds and prevented from at
tempting much in the way of santa
tion. Their principal efforts, he said.
are being directed along the line OF
fighting yellow fever and suppressing
the bubonic plague.
DR.. Long stopped in Cuba on his
way back to this country, but did
not attempt to go into sanitary con-
ditiOnS there,