Hookworm Campaign in Porto Rico

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 14, 1914

Hookworm Campaign in Porto Rico

LIFTING the whole laboring population of an island from a state of chronic indolence to something like normal ability in less than ten years is something of an achievement, even for these days of medical wonders. Yet that is what has happened in Porto Rico since 1904. When in that year the Americans went to the island, they found twenty per cent of the laboring class gradually losing in strength and inclination to work; nearly forty-five per cent were increasingly unable to work, having passed the stage when they suffered from mere disinclination; twenty-five per cent were facing death. The worst phase of the situation was that these victims were looked upon as shiftless and indolent, when in reality they were chronic invalids. Not until ten years ago did planter and government cease to urge these pitiful sufferers to work, and recognize the truth that they were totally unable to respond to such appeals. But today, the result of the campaign against hookworm has surpassed even the most extravagant expectations of the most hopeful campaigners. A bad case of the disease is now almost unknown in the well-populated districts of the island, and even in the mountains there is scarcely an individual who has not heard of the cure for the disease, and who does not know that medical treatment will cure it.