Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1918-03-04
MEDlCS USE
WHITE MICE /,
T0SAVELlVES
Diagnosis Of Pneumonia
Made Through Aid of
Tiny Rodents.

Chicago, March 4.-He is just a
little thing, with snow white hide. and
peady 6es. yet he destined to play a
most important part in the world war.
He" is the white mouse.
Major w. A. Shields, chief medical
oHlcer at the central department sup
ply depot here, says that these mice
are needed in large numbers now and
tnat If there be those who are in a
quandry as to how best they may
serve their country, it would be we'll
for them to look into the white mice
industry.
White mice, Major Shields said, are
among the most important needs Of
the army hospitals. Upon securing of
a sufficient number Of the tiny rodents
may depend the lives of many hum
dreds American soldiers and sailors.
Pneumonia is the spectre with
which the tiny mice are called upon to.
do battle. and, according to the medi-
cal supply officer, if the mice can be
had in sufficient numbers. they can
crush their CRIME plague Of the can
leviate the suffering caused by pneu-
monia by the sacrifice Of their lives
for the manufacture of serum.
Through elaborate experiments it
has been discovered, according to
Major Shields. that pneumonia is Of
several kinds, each being distinct from
the other and requiring a different
serum. There is, however, but one
way in which to determine which
form Of the disease has attacked the
patient. That is through the use Of
white mice.
The question that faces the medical
supply officers is to get the little
rodents which play such an import
ant part in army hospital service.
Before the war. said Major Shields,
mice were so plentiful that ten cents
each would purchase all one might
desire.
Then came the war and the sudden
demand for large quantities of the
- rodents. Immediately the price leap
ed upward. Today, Major Shields said,
white mice are quoted at $1.22 each,
with the prospects that the price has
not yet reached the top.
This is a sample of the 'patri-
otism' of some of the people of this
country" Major Shields said. 1T is a
sad commentary upon such persone
that they will let their greed o~utstrip
their duty to America. A white mice
breeder recently wrote. asking my
quotations on mice. When I told him
giving him a figure that six months
g would have been considered ex.
travagant-he replied that he could
SOI & ChI dpIcCc IlOTc WuCTc
and he refused to let us have any,
Not all persons. however, are like
this. the officer added. A woman ir
California who sends on an average Of
fifty mice a month to the Chicago
depot, has requested that the check If
payment for the rodents be turned
W to the American Red Cross
While the department could not dc
this. 1t was none the less exceedingl,
gratified to note this spirit.
White mice are bred in "mous
cries" the major said in explaining
how the animals are reared. The,
breed rapidly and the. expense fol
caring for them is practically moth
Ing. All that is required is a place
to keep them which iced not be ex
pensive. and a slight expenditure TO
food. The mice are fed lettuce. oat
and Ereens and are very hardy. The;
are shipped to. the Chicago depot from
the Pacific coast with practically n