Health School Inaugurates $500,000 Trachoma Study

The School of Public Health has undertaken a $500,000, five-year research program with the Arabian-American Oil Company to study possible methods of preventing trachoma, it was announced yesterday.

The largest project of its kind in the school's history, the program constitutes the first large-scale attempt to discover a preventive for the widespread eye disease. Previous efforts have been directed primarily toward finding a cure.

Dr. John C. Snyder, newly appointed Dean of the School, heads the group of University specialists who will work with the Aramco medical staff in Dhahram, Saudi Arabia. Aramco, sponsor of the project, will contribute funds at the rate of $100,000 annually.

New Techniques

Trachoma is regarded as one of the world's most destructive diseases because of its wide prevalence. The virus disease does not kill, but it frequently impairs vision. In nations where it is common--a large part of the world outside the United States--many persons carry the disease all their lives. In some of the areas of the Middle East 80 to 100 percent of the inhabitants have it at some time during their lifetime.

Before succeeding General James S. Simmons as Dean, Dr. Snyder asked the Arabian-American Oil Company for the money and the use of its medical center in Dhahram. He expects to rely heavily on the new procedures for the cultivation of viruses which were perfected by Nobel prize winning doctors Weller, Enders, and Robbins.

Ambitious Program

Although the school maintains research projects in four other areas--India, Peru, Italy, and Alaska--the new undertaking is its most ambitious program outside the United States. The group plans to make an overall study of the disease, including methods of diagnosis as well as prevention.

Working with Dr. Snyder will be Doctors Edward S. Murray and Robert Shihman, specialists in virus diseases.