Evening star., 1927-09-11

present time" Dr.. Dekleine stated.
'The State and local health officers
that / interviewed all state that ty-
phoid fev~r, smallpox and malaria and
other communicable diseases are less
prevalent now than usual at this time
of year. Typhoid and malaria are
diseases most common during the
Summer and Fall of the year, and up
to the present time this year there are
fewer cases reported than they have
had in recent years.
Fewer Deaths Than Average.
'In Louisiana 142 deaths from ty-
phoid fever were reported this year up
to August 26. Last, year during the
same period 21o cases were reported.
There are less than one-third as many
deaths this year from typhoid as COM
pared with the average for the last
five years.
Smallpox Is also much less preva-
lent in Louisiana than during the same
period In former years. One hundred
anc ninety eight cases of smallpox
were reported from January 21 to
August rs Of this year. During the
same period IN 1895, from January l
TO August 81, -921 cases were reported.
The average for the past five years
for this same period was 1884. Small
pox Is, therefore, about one-flfth less
this year than during the same period
in 1925 and about one.fourth less than
the average for the past five years.
I'VE do not happen to have the
figures in regard to the prevalence
OF malaria in the flood States, but the
statements of the health officers,
both State and local. indicate that this
disease is less prevalent than usual.
The Red Cross has also undertaken
extensive work which will do much
eventually for its control"
The Red Cross has constructed more
than 10000 screen doors to be placed
In homes. Most Of these doors are
already placed, but the work is still
In progress and 1t will be some time
before it is completed.
Not all houses in the flood area
will be screened, but those that need
1t most will be. The Red Cross also
has distributed for free use, by the
local health agencies and physicians,
large quantities OF quinine sulphate.
Thousands OF persons are using this
as preventive for malaria. Several
thousand gallons of oil used for COW
ering stagnant ponds has been sup
piled and used by local health
agencies.
Fighting Peilagra With Yeast.
In view Of the. widespread preva-
ience Of pellagra in some Of the South.
ern States the Red Cross is distrib.
uting 5000 pounds of pure powdered
yeast to all persons afflicted with this
disease in the food area. The Red
Cross decided upon this program of
feirer upon the recommendat ton of
Surgeon General Hugh s. Cumming
and DIR. Joseph GoIdberger of the
United States Public Health Service.
DIR. Goldberger. world renowned for
his researches on pellagra, stated in
recent report that pellagra is on
the increase in all the Southern
States, in and out Of the flood area.
The apparent cause for this present
increase is not definitely known, but
1t is probably due to economic condi.
tions- throughout the Southern States,
which makes 1t more difficult for
many of the people to obtain an ade.
quate diet. Failure of the cotton crop
and low prices have made it more
0ifhcult FOR the people to obtain an
adequate diet.
Secretary Hoover will confer tomer.
row with the chairmen of State
rehabilitation commissions of Arkan.
sas, Mississippi and Louisiana. with
view to obtaining general summary
OF the flood situation in those States
through which he has just toured by
special train, automobile and boat.
Monday he will make his first visit
TO the flood regions of southeastern
Missouri, including stops at New
Madrid and Cape Girardeau. He will
then so to st. Louis and leave Tues
day for Washington to report his find.
tngs to President Coolidge.