The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-11-03
WAR EPIDEMICS
ANDTHE REMEDY
Invasion Of Spanish Influenza Brings
Up Timely Problem and Its
Possible Solution

THE prevailing epidemic OF grip
brings warning OF the need OF
preparing to do battle with
other enemies. We have been told to
expect a return of the influenza In
possibly an aggravated form next
spring. But, II Is not influenza alone
gainst which we must be on the
watch. There are other communicable
diseases that may come here from war
worn Europe. and some Of these are
infinitely more TO be feared than. grip.
The maladies that We should be
ready to combat from now on are
cholera, typhus. epidemic meningitis
and. possibly, plague. The return OF
hundreds OF thousands of our fighting
men from abroad will constitute a
source of danger. The peril will be-
come more pronounced after the war
ends, when rigid military discipline
will probably have relaxed somewhat
and both the armies and the civil
population forget for the time the
hazards OF infection. And, finally, we
shall have again to deal with a tide OF
immigration.
F'ortunatelytscience has revealed the
incubation period OF the diseases most
TO be feared. and generally speaking
this is shorter than the returning run
" a transport. II Is. therefore. feast
ble to exercise close supervision over
Homecoming soldiers and to isolate
the sick, to quarantine those that hav'
been In contact with the infected an
10 take certain preventive measures IN
behalf of those not already affected.
Bacteriology has given US instru-
nentalities of the utmost defensive
value. The person that the sanitarian
mas learned to fes' most is not the
disease stricken but his apparently
healthy fellow. the disease carrier.
Rigid and thorough physical and
meteorological examination only can
detect the latter.
meteorological tests have been de-
vised that enable the qualified health
ofticer to detect the cholera carrier
The typhus suspect can be discovered
ny blood examination, and, thanks to
The work Of DR.. Harry Plotz. an i'm
munizins vaccine Is to-day available
IN the case of plague the passive i'm.
inunization Of exposed contacts anc
the active immunization Of those who
may be exposed can be practised.
Meningitis, which has worked havoc
in military camps on this continent
and abroad, Is no longer to be reared
IL the splendid work OF DR.. simon
Flexner Is utilized. DR.. F1exner has
not only devised a treatment for the
disease. but he has made 1t possible &c
detect the seemingly healthy carriers
and has shown just how these carriers
can be rendered innocuous by subject
ing them to a simple steriltzing OF the
nasal and post nasal passages. IL !;
possible that a kindref proceduIs
would be equally effective IN prevent
ing the spread of Influenza.
These precautionary steps can o
taken daily II necessary during the
westward passage OF transports thus
greatly aiding the work OF the quaran'
tine officers Of our ports. II some
what similar procedure could be fol-
lowed abroad all merchant craft, espe'
c.ally those bringing passengers or I'M
migrants to this country, the chances
II epdemics Of European cfiSn gam
ing a foothold here would be reduced
That special measures regarhng I'M
migration are necessary is evident
Whatever may be the action taken o1
foreign governments toward curtaii'nt
emigration. It IL fairly reasonable I.
assume> that the United States WI
nave to deal with a large influx O
lliens upon the return Of peace. TIT
nome countries OF some Of the nation
e,lities will have TO endure hardship
tor years to come during the perioa o
reconstruction or rehabilitation. TIT
United States more than ever WI
Dom above this horizon OF discomfort
or misery as a land Of promise am
plenty. The more desperately strickei
The people the more anxious they VII
oe 10 come here. and the worse thei
physical plight the greater the likeii
1ood Of disease among them.
sanitary intelligence from the neal
Cast, even in times Of peace. has nevel
been reliable. and from that part OF en-