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Biomedical Research

A Public Health Service survey in 1912 found that trachoma was prevalent in the rural mountains of Kentucky. Dr. John McMullen, who conducted that survey and who had extensive experience in the surgical treatment of trachoma from his work with immigrants at Ellis Island, New York, was assigned by the Service to begin trachoma control work in Kentucky. The goal was to find and treat existing cases and to prevent new ones through health education, especially encouraging improvement in personal hygiene. To help in this work, small temporary hospitals of 20-30 beds, such as this one in Jackson, Kentucky, were established throughout the area. The professional staff of each hospital consisted of one physician trained in diseases of the eye, and from two to four nurses.

c. 1916

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