The disease shortens the life of the people in an infected district and makes them readily fall victims to intercurrent diseases. Various statistics give the mortality as from less than one-half of 1% to figures approximating 7%.
Prophylaxis and Treatment
Prophylaxis.—The first measure is to diagnose infections in carriers and to insist upon the treatment of such persons. The proper disposal of the fecal material from hookworm patients is the objective point in prophylaxis.
The use of some type of properly constructed privy is essential as there is nothing more favorable to the development of the hookworm larvae from eggs to infecting stage than the practice of defecating on the ground where conditions of porous, sandy soil, shade and moisture exist. Later on, such a spot teems with infecting larvae and the person stepping there with bare feet is almost sure to become infected. For this reason the wearing of shoes is an important prophylactic measure. At the same time shoes are not a sure protection, as Ashford has noted infections in soldiers who wore good shoes. The fecal material, collected in a pail or tub, should preferably be burned or boiled. Otherwise it should be buried not less than 300 feet from the water supply and down hill from the same.
The best method is to use some septic tank process as the anaerobic processes of fermentation destroy the eggs.
The use of an amount of compound cresol solution equaling the fecal mass, plus urine, is of value.
Hookworm disease tends to disappear in towns or cities where there is an efficient sewerage system.
Hookworm disease is one of the most conspicuous examples of soil pollution disease.
Some authors think Ancylostoma more difficult to expel than Necator.
Treatment.—The drugs best known in treatment are thymol and chenopodium but carbon tetrachloride offers the greatest promise.