Diary_of_Dr._Calvin_T._Young_from_Hookworm_Eradication_Campaign__January-April__1910__346839_

L.S. Morrow - Pearce - Fla. J.O. Whidden L.E. Masters J.E. Fortner George R. " John Cravy W.W. Wolfolk J.W. Payne

Feb 5th Examined 6 specimens. 5 pos. 1 tape worm. Distributed a no. of outfits In aft. drove out in country with Dr. H.P. Newman - called at several places - left outfits

Feb 7th Went before the county school board which met in Prof. Kirks office this - carried microscope and specimens - made talk on the situation going especially into the prophykaxis. At the conclusion I handed them a copy of the following - which they discusssed and passed.

Where on an inspection of the oublic schools of Polk Co by the state Board of Health has revealed the fact that about 3000 pupils are infested with hookworms -- And since the pernicious influence of this bloodsucking and poisoning parasite upon the training of the mind, development of the body and cultivation of the morals is no where as evident as in the school room; often rendering futile the combined kindly efforts of the board, the

teacher and the parent in their endeavours for the mental betterment of the child, And furthermore since medical science assures tht of all diseases it is the easiest of detection, treatment and eradication - that its effectual extermination depends simply upon the treatment of existing cases and the prevention of soil pollution therefore be it Resolved: That we the county school Board of Polk Co. do hereby urgently insist that our teachers shall co-operate with physicians, patrons & friends, using every tactful means to bring these infested children to treatment - which is furnished without cost by the State Board of Health and administered by the family physician. Be it further - Resolved: That we require the trustees of all public schools

not so provided to construct fly protected toilets or privies of improved modern design. That these with all others be conducted or maintained in a thorough or sanitary manner - thereby preventing their activities as purveyer of diseasepolluters of soil or propregaters of hook worm disease. I went into detail explaining the requirements of a privy of approved design - and what a curse the ones in use were because of their neglected condition as well as those schools that had none at all - where the pupils were forced to resort to palmetto patches bay heads etc - You could see their eyes open a the follow the cycle of the parasite and realized the hopelessness of the cause if these unsanitary conditions were not relieved. The afternoon - examined 2 specs. positive. Spent the remainder of the aft. at the school

with microscope and Dr. Newman showing the pupils and teachers the eggs, etc. Found about 50 already under treatment. Many of the boys about 15 decided at once that they had the trouble and without microscopial exam. Have taken 1 some of them 2 treatments already. Of course I talked to them about the value of the microscope in determining not only when the disease wasa forward [?] but when cured as well.

Feb 8th Left for Ft. Meade Called on Drs. Reagan, Lewis & Williams Found them in harmony with our endeavour, promised to lend their own personal influence to the furtherances of the cause - They have been treating cases of hook worm all along. Dr. William has a microscope and has been doing quite a little work.