Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-07-09
Officials of U. S. Public Health
Service Operating With
State Authorities.
WILL IMPORT MONKEY
FOR THEIR EXPERIMENTS
Disease Not Yet Under Control In
New York-Cases Reported in
Other Cities.

NEW YORK, July s.-After a confer
officials in this city today to discuss
plans to check the epidemic of infan-
tile paralysis. which already has cost
205 lives here. DR.. W. c. Rucker, as
sistant surgeon general of the federal
public health service, returned to Wash
ington tonight to expedite the impor-
tation of monkeys for experimental
purposes
Dr. Haven Emerson, health commits
sioner. said tonight that while the
rate of increase in patients had been
lowered, there had been no constant de-
crease thus far. and that it could not
be said the epidemic was under control.
The chief problem now confronting
the health department, officials said, Is
the danger to the general public of the
carrier" a child or adult who may
have the disease and without being
toms of it. can communicate it to
others. 1t is hoped by experiments
upon monkeys to determine how the
disease is spread. They have proved
in the past more valuable than any
other animals for research work.
Striving to Cope With Disease.
DR.. Emerson said the department is
doing everything within its resources
to cope with the plague, but that the
service can be improved.
Keep away as far as possible from
everybody. You can't tell who the car
rier may be-" was the warning tonight
Of Dr. George Nicholas, head of the
hnr nf mir
tirely too much promiscuous fondling
and kissing of children
At the conference today, attended by
Dr. c. H Lavinder of the federal public
health service. Assistant Surgeon Cen
eral Rucker, DIR. Hermann NJ. Biggs,
state health commissioner: DR.. William
H. Park of the city laboratory and DR..
L. l. Lumsden of the public health serv-
ice. it was decided, Comm ssioner Emer-
son said, that the governments experts
will start next Monday to study ex-
haustively cases in New York city and
the surrounding territory
Commissioner Emerson announced
that with the aid of DIR. S. S. Goldwater,
former health commissioner, hospital
associations are being modified. He
predicted good work would result from
this move.
Various Phases to Be Studied.
The various phases of the epidemic
will be taken up. Commissioner Emer-
son said. at a meeting of all relief as
sociations in the Brooklyn Civic Club
next Tuesday. Particular attention will
be given to the situation in Brooklyn,
where the great majority of cases have
developed.
Six new cases were reported today in
Newark. n. J., and the disease has ap-
peared in many other nearby places.
and in many states west and south.
eighteen more deaths and ninety-fiye
new cases during the twenty-four
hours ending at 10 o'clock this morn
ing. There was decrease of four
deaths compared with the day previous
and an increase of eight cases.
Inspectors of the health department
have been given pamphlet for general
distribution containing instructions for
avoiding the disease.
Defense League to Give Aid.
Acting Police Commissioner Cooley
announced that the Home Defense
League. with 10000 members, would be
called out early next week to aid in the
fight against the epidemic. The plan is
to have each patroiman accompanied on
his beat by a member of the league,
who will report all cases where there is
danger of contagion. such as uncovered
ash cans. spilled garbage, etc. The re-
ports will be furnished TO the captains
of each police precinct
This will be the first call to active
service of the Home Defense League
which was organized nearly a year ago
by Police Commissioner Woods for the
purpose of having a reserve force OF
trained citizens to cooperate with the
mol Vt In
Sencies.