Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-03-20
EPIDEMTCS SWEEP
SERBIANS TO DEATH
Many Plaques Raging in Balkan
State and Conditions Are Ter
rible. it is Reported.
TYPHUs MOST DEADLY OF ALL

LONDON, March 1s--An appall-
ing story OF conditions in Serbia was
related today by Ernest Bicknell and
Henry James. jr., OF the war relief
committee OF the Rockefeller Foun-
dalton. on their return to London
after a tour of inspection through
that country. They said that sew
eral diseases were epidemic in Serbia.
Typhus. the most deadly of these.
already has caused the death Of sixty
out Of 400 native doctors OF the
country. The foreign Red Cross
units have suffered great losses. Two
American units and one British have
been compelled to suspend their reg
ular work because of typhus. Nine
American nurses and two physicians
have contracted the disease.
introduced by Prisoners.
The serbians assert that typhus was
introduced by Austrian prisoners Of war
who were permitted to wander over the
country and infected the population by
spreading versnin which causes the dis
ease.
Tho commissioners went first TO Nish'
then proceeded to Belgrade and left the
country BIZ way OF Uskup. thus visiting
mo three most populous towns.
During their tour they learned that
typhus, typhoid, fever, cholera, smallpox,
diphtheria, scarlet fever and Tecurrent
fever are all existing in more or lees
epidemic forms.
The largest number OF cases IL of re-
current fever. but this disease is seldom
fatal Typhus IL particularly deadly.
Smallpox and diphtheria are Diminishing.
No Figures Available
No figures are available az 20 the num-
Der OF cases but the commissioners be
lieve that the mortality Ii 90 heavy as to
bring the situation within their purview'
Physicians ana sanitary experts are
needed badly but unless they are fully
equipped with medicine and also with
furnishings for their living quarters II
will be unwise to 60 20 Serbia since they
probably would fall victims 20 the dis
ease.
MIR. James said that the situation could
be dealt with effectively only by Joint
organisation by medical units under q
system whereby strict sanitary control
could be enforced. Some plan must also
be devised for placing Austrian prisoners
In camps.
u. 3. CoumIsalOn Organised. I
WASHINGTON. March 1A-An Amefi-
can Sanitary commission has been or
ganIsed under the auspices Of the Ameri-
can RED Cross and the Rockefeller Foun-
dalton and soon will be at work in Ser
bia aiding in the control and suppression
OF typhus fever. which already has
claimed oo.ooo victims there.
Announcement was made today by the
Rcd Cross that $4,000 had been furnished
for carrying on thfs work. which Surgeon
General william G. Gorgas OF the United
states army says II the most important
sanitary development considered In years
Large additional funds, II Ia expected
WIN be required. as cholera Il threatened
In siberia. and unless checked early may
spread 20 all parts OF Europe. The com.
mission probably win live In tents Great
quantities OF supplies, specially for dis
injecting work and an initial supply OF
10000 anti-choiera treatment Is on the
way.
Rocixefesier Contribution.
NEW YORK. March ls.-The Rookie
Teller Foundation announced today thai
II has made contribution OF $4,000 q
the American Red Cross toward tho cos
OF sending q special sanitary commission
10 Serbia 20 aid the Serbian government
In controlling epidemies OF typhus am
typhoid fever ana possibly OF cholera.