Studies on Hookworm Disease in Szechwan Province, West China

Szechwan is one of the largest, richest and most populous provinces in China, extending from 101?-111? east longitude and 27?-24? north latitude. The population is estimated at 45,000,000. It is essentially an agricultural province; the important crops are rice, sweet potatoes and corn. Though the land is very fertile and productive, the living standard in rural Szechwan is very low. The food of the people is poor, insufficient and deficient in proteins and fats, a condition which makes hookworm disease more serious. Most of the women have bound feet, but they take an active part in farm work. While working in the fields, men and children are usually barefooted and women are either barefooted or wear cloth shoes or straw sandals. Many of them are illiterate and superstitious. Human excrement is carefully conserved, stored in pits and employed as the chief manure in agriculture.