A soldier in science : the autobiography of Bailey K. Ashford / [Bailey K. Ashford].

  • Ashford, Bailey K. (Bailey Kelly), 1873-1934.
Date:
1934
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A soldier in science : the autobiography of Bailey K. Ashford / [Bailey K. Ashford]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    gees from the hurricane of San Ciriaco, he picked up the depositor of that egg. He looked at the expressionless face of his jibaro (peasant) and fairly beamed. Here was the prototype of anasmic millions all over the Caribbean, all round the tropical belt that girdles the portly belly of Mother Earth. That jibaro was becoming positively beau¬ tiful to the young doctor. He would take him to town, get the local photographer to immortalize him. He passed a telegraph office on the way. “Whoa! I almost forgot, Flugel. I’ve got to send a telegram.” And into the office he dashed and scrawled the following: PONCE, NOVEMBER 24, 1899 CHIEF SURGEON, SAN JUAN: HAVE THIS DAY PROVEN THE CAUSE OF MANY PERNICIOUS, PROGRESSIVE AN/EMIAS OF THIS ISLAND TO BE DUE TO ANCYLOSTOMUM DUODENALE. ASHFORD. Now to the photographer. The jibaro underwent this operation perfectly. Then, as an afterthought, to the se¬ date mansion of Ponce’s leading physician, a very wise man. He rang the bell. When the door was opened, he caught sight of the gray-haired physician away back in his sanctum sanctorum. But no place was sacred any longer to this young man. In he strode and announced: “Dr. V-, I have just discovered the cause of the anaemia of our jibaros. It’s a worm! Not climate, nor food, nor bad hygiene, nor malaria, nor anything of that sort, but a worm —an intestinal worm!” The doctor was impressed—not by the news, but by the visit and the surcharged excitement of the visitor. He laid aside glasses and smiled—he was a kindly man—and, at the first pause, gently remarked: “You know, doctor, this is a very trying climate on you Northerners. . .