Human infestations and infections

The so‐called “deficiency diseases” among children in developing countries are not always the result of inadequate diets. Many cases of childhood anaemia, for example, show little correlation with mineral or vitamin intakes, and, in this latter situation, infestations by various parasitic worms appear to be primarily responsible, with related infections adding to the misery. The role of medication in alleviating this problem is somewhat limited, and the real hope must lie in the education of parents, particularly mothers, in respect of personal and food hygiene.