New Methods of Hookworm Disease Investigation and Control

Abstract

From a 10-year study in Georgia it is concluded that most cases of hookworm disease can be found by attention to large, white, low-income families living on sandy or sandy-loam soil, without proper sanitation, and showing evidence of clinical anemia, though subclinical cases are missed. Because of high indigency health officers must usually assume treatment responsibilities. Educational efforts are made to improve the diet, especially with respect to iron for growing children. Sale and use of sanitary sewage disposal facilities in homes and schools are promoted; when these are not available 1 or preferably 2 treatments with C2Cl4 are urged for all members of the family during the cold months, when immediate reinfection is less likely. The seasonal effect is enhanced by the fact that if the rural residents wear shoes at all it is in the cold months. Two treatments with C2Cl4 render 90% of patients negative, and reduce the group egg output 99%.