Page:The Indian Journal of Medical Research, 1920.djvu/209

 THE PRliVALENCE OF ANKYLOSTOMIASIS IN THE MADRAS PRESIDENCY BY Dr. K. S. MHASKAR, m.d., m.a., b.sc, d.p.h., d.t.m. & h., Officer in charge Ankylostomiasis Inquiry in Madras. [Received for publication, July 13, 1920.] III. Hookworm Infection as a Pkedisposing Factok [N Medical Diseases. The investigations in the Trichinopoly Jail, mentioned in my previous paper^ show that freedom from hookworm infection seems to diminish the susceptibility to bowel complaints. The investigations carried out to the end of the year 1919 support the above conclusion ; they also show that the average death rate and the average period of illness from bowel complaints are likewise lessened. In Table I are recorded the total cases, total deaths and the average period of illness per case for the years 1918 and 1919 in the two groups of convicts — those free from, and those infected with, hookworm. The mille rates for case incidence and deaths are based on the respective average population of the two groups during the period. Except for the matter of treatment or nontreatmeiit the two groups 'trea^^^Ml' and 'untreated' are otherwise exactly comparable. ( 395 )