Trachoma by Journal of the American Medical Association

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · Jul 22, 1913

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 40, No. 28.

Trachoma

By Journal of the American Medical Association

THIS disease of the eyes is becoming of greater importance as it becomes more widespread throughout our country. In 1897 the secretary of the treasury declared trachoma a dangerous contagious disease, and denied an immigrant afflicted with it entrance to this country, because of the discovery that the disease was being introduced and disseminated by immigrants. It seems to be undisputed that no country is free from the ravages of the disease, the history of which goes back to ancient times, and that no race is immune from it, and no age exempt, except the very young. The cause of trachoma is not yet known, as the specific germ has not yet been discovered. The disease occurs in groups, in localities, in houses, in factories, and in schools, and is spread by contact or by contamination with articles like common towels, which are handled by the afflicted patient and his fellows.

The seriousness of trachoma, its contagiousness, the knowledge that thousands of would-be immigrants are waiting to come to America if restriction of this disease is removed, the amount of it already in this country, and especially its concentration in certain localities, mean that measures for its prevention should be inaugurated by every state, city, and town where the disease has been discovered. Poverty, crowding, dirt, and articles used in common, tend to spread this infection rapidly. While the number of persons having trachoma may be diminishing in some of our larger cities where both the government and the local authorities are alert to the danger of the disease and to the segregation necessary, other cities and communities should pass such ordinances as would cause every case of trachoma to be reported. School children should be inspected for this disease. Factories should also be inspected; and where the disease is discovered, the owners should take measures to prevent its spread and to eliminate it if possible. A person with trachoma should be isolated and treated until he is well. A child who is discovered to have trachoma and is banished from school should be followed to its home by a visiting nurse or some inspector from the board of health, to insure that the child does not spread contagion in its own home. School wash rooms should have faucets for running water which are controlled by foot pressure, so that the hands need not touch the faucets. The common towel should be abolished with the common drinking cup. These rules for cleanliness apply also to factories, hotels, office buildings, and all public institutions.—Journal of the American Medical Association.