158 



SOME REACTIONS AMONG ANIMALS 



Conclusion. Explain how the larvae of the hookworm may 

 readily infect the children of the poor. Show how the wearing 

 of shoes would be of value. See Figure 49. 



FIG. 49. A family of poor whites in North Carolina. All infected with 

 hookworm disease. 



Observations. 1. The hookworm was undoubtedly brought 

 to this country by the negro slave. More than 90% of the 

 negroes of the South are infected to-day, but they are more 

 immune than the whites. What is the meaning of the term 

 1 immune ' ? 



2. More than two million of the poor whites of the South are 

 infected. Can they be permanently cured without at the same 

 time also curing the negroes ? Explain. 



Note. The best remedy is thymol, followed a couple of 

 hours later by Epsom salts. The thymol stupefies the worms, 

 causing them to loosen their hold, and the Epsom salts later 

 cleanse them from the intestines. Caution ! thymol should not 

 be given without the advice of a physician. 



