The Washington times., 1908-11-29
DR.. Miller, District Physi-
clan, Dies of Typhoid Fever
Contracted on Duty.
LAYS DOWN LIFE
TO HELP OTHERS
Victim of Malady He Was Study
ing in Federal
Service.

Dying IN the service Of his country as
nobly as did any hero on the battlefield,
Or. William w Miller. an assistant sur
geon Of the United States. who con-
tracted the disease which caused his
death while studying the origin and
prevalence Of typhoid fever in the Dis
trict Of Columbia. has been buried in
his Southern home before the people of
Washington knew of his illness.
He was but twenty-eight years Of age
when he died last Tuesday at Providence
Hospital Already. he mad accomplished
much IN his profession, both in surgery
and In the study of bacteriology.
Prior TO his illness from typhoid which
he contracted in the laboratory OF the
United States Public Health and Marine
Hospital Service, DR.. Miller had made
thousands OF examinations of infected
material and had accumulated a great
amount OF information about the deadly
typhoid germ. Much of this knowledge
he carried down TO the grave with him.
The disease fastened itself upon him
eight weeks ago and he could not throw
it of in spite OF everything that medical
science could do.
Hero of the Profession.
For his services in studying typhoid,
DR.. Miller ranks with the heroes Of
his profession who gave their lives in
Cuba studying the yellow fever. Con-
gress showed its appreciation OF those
men by granting LIBERAL pensions TO
their widows. DR.. Miller died unknown
except to a few friends and scientific
associates who knew MS worth and his
devotion TO his profession.
Dr. Miller was born in Mississippi.
He received his preliminary education
in Memphis, Tenn anj was graduated
in medicine at the University OF Viz
ginia in 1901. Then he spent consider
able time I'm some of the large hospi-
tals OF New York, being az iafarpe
and house surgeon In Roosevelt Ifosp3-
tai for more than two years. During
this term or service. he performed moro
than 240 major operations. an exCep-
uonal record for so young a surgeon.
Enters Government Service.
After passing a brilliant competitive
examination. he was. on September I.
1906, commissioned an assistant surgeon
in the United States Public Health and
Marine Hospital Service, and was as
signed to duty at the immigration sta
ti0n, Ellis Island. Ia August. he was
relieved from duty IN New York and
assigned to the hygienic hospital in
Washington.
Besides his studies in typhoid fever
at this laboratory. Or. Miller was en-
gagged in original research. and dIscov-
cred new blood parasite OF animals,
the report Of the discovery Of which
is embodied IN a bulletin OF the Hy-
gieniC Laboratory which viii soon be
issued. He was exceptionally we'll
equipped in character and training. and
his already brilliant work gave promise
Of a still more brilliant future.
Dr. Miller was married in October,
1906. and left Il widow and infant
daughter. Mrs. Miller and child accom-
panied the body 10 Memphis Tenn,
where the burial took place She Is
undecided Were she viii make her fu.
ture home. but will probably remain
in Memphis. While in Washington, DIT.
and Mrs. Miller resided at the Ontario.