Pellagra in the news
Pellagra had been reported in parts of Europe for nearly 200 years before it was reported in the US. Unfortunately the cause of pellagra was not proven before it reached the United States in the early 1900's. The first two newspaper articles provided illustrate the theories and some of the effects it had in Europe in the 1800's. Once pellagra was reported in the US the cause of the disease was a serious puzzle that needed to be solved. For decades the cause of the disease was unknown, but the number of lives it took only increased with each passing year and became a very concerning problem mostly in the Southern States.
Over 20 articles are provided during the times that pellagra made its rampage through the US from the New York Times. The articles give a good outline and timeline of the many theories surrounding the cause of the disease. Unfortunately people were so off track with the etiology of pellagra, mostly theorizing that it was caused by some infectious agent or germ, that many deaths were reported in these articles as well. Even when the the cause of pellagra being a nutritional deficiency was found, articles claimed that this was false and kept with previous common theories. Finally around 1920 the true cause of pellagra was generally accepted and focus shifted to stopping the disease from causing anymore harm.
These articles illustrate the many theories that had arose about the cause of pellagra as well as reported deaths and eventually responses from the government and health organizations to prevent and treat the disease and those affected.
Over 20 articles are provided during the times that pellagra made its rampage through the US from the New York Times. The articles give a good outline and timeline of the many theories surrounding the cause of the disease. Unfortunately people were so off track with the etiology of pellagra, mostly theorizing that it was caused by some infectious agent or germ, that many deaths were reported in these articles as well. Even when the the cause of pellagra being a nutritional deficiency was found, articles claimed that this was false and kept with previous common theories. Finally around 1920 the true cause of pellagra was generally accepted and focus shifted to stopping the disease from causing anymore harm.
These articles illustrate the many theories that had arose about the cause of pellagra as well as reported deaths and eventually responses from the government and health organizations to prevent and treat the disease and those affected.