We have tried to verify in the Brazilian Northeastern zone, in nearly 3.000 observations, the relation between general living conditions of a particular population and its hemoglobin rate. For the purpose we employed Dare's hemoglominometer, a detailed study of which has been presented together with a few modifications deemed of high importance for future use of the apparatus in specialized work. A fair correlation was noticed between hemoglobin wealth of the individual and his economic condition, whenever the experiment has been made upon a number of cases allowing rational statistical treatment. The causes of such a correlation have not been searched for; we have only discussed the meaning of the method as a test to determine the hematic conditions of a certain territory. Incidentally it was again ascertained that ancylostomiasis anemia may only develop among people of low economic status.