Statistics of pellagra in Spartanburg County

Abstract

Up to September 15, 1914, we have recorded about I,165 cases of pellagra, which have been recognized in Spartanburg County, S. C., the large bulk of them since 1910. The population of this county in 1910 was 84,000. The comparative study of the distribution of that portion of these cases recorded up to the end of 1913, in respect to geographical location, race, age, sex and occupation, has shown the disease to be most prevalent in the larger centers of population and especially in the cotton-mill villages. Pellagra has been about three times as prevalent among the white population as in the negroes. It was very rare in children under the age of two, uncommon in the five years following puberty in both sexes, and only slightly prevalent in adult males under fifty years of age. On the other hand, it was enormously prevalent and severe in females from twenty to forty, somewhat less prevalent, but nearly always mild, in children of both sexes from two to ten years, and almost equally prevalent in old people of both sexes. The greatest pellagra morbidity was observed among persons engaged in housework or remaining at home without occupation, indicating that the causative agent or agencies are present in or near the home. Nevertheless, the women mill workers suffered as much as, or even more than, the housekeepers of the same age when due regard is given to the total number of persons thus engaged.