The sun., 1919-11-02

| TO ME that up TO date we have done
so. No great Governmental effort has
been made, and this is a matter pre-
eminently demanding exactly that.
Probably our local boards of health
throughout the country are very well
informed speaking generally. with re-
gard to both prevention and treatment
as far as these have been developed,
but the point is that they have not
been developed very highly and cannot
be by local effort.
Real prevention and cure cannot
come until We are fully informed
with regard to the nature of the dis
ease and that full Information is not
at hand as yet. II one could make an
estimate of the cost of influenza to
the country one could make an i'm
pressive statement Of the need for
an intensive and persistent study. re-
gardless OF the matter OF expense, but
that is an impossibility and there
fore we who are anxious to see such
a study started and carried to a finish
lose one of the best talking points.
Here, however. is a statement
which do not hesitate to make: In
fuenza during the war years cost
more lives than bullets did, and if un-
checked in the future will cost more
lives than any other war con-
ceivable TO the human imagination.
We have not hesitated to spend money
on the Peace Conference, the results of
which possibly may tend to prevent
future wars. although the present
state OF the world would seem to in
dicate the daring nature of that hope.
Well, the Peace Conference has cost
enough millions to pay for study of
influenza such as never has been given
to any disease during the history of
science. And that really would save
life and promote human efficiency and
happiness.
Il am convinced that the task is
that OF the national Government
rather than that of the States or local
authorities, or even of the great
foundations. 1t is my conviction that
the United States Public Health Ser
vice should organize for 1t with as
little regard for work or expense as
was shown in our medical effort at
the front during the war, or, as a
matter of fact, with no more regard
for work and money than we felt with
regard to its actual military opera
tions. 1t should spend absolutely with
out stint.
New York city has great labora-
tories. They furnished large part OF
the serums and vaccines used during
the war by both the American and
British armies. These and all attend
ant facilities we shall use to the best
possible advantage, but a single city,
no matter how great and rich, cannot
nor should be called upon to spend
all the money necessary to the vast
investigntive effort which not only
would be justified. but is imperatively
demanded by the cause. Our very
eminent DIR. Park, with unlimited
funds and assistance at his disposal,
could do much undoubtedly, hut he has
neither.
Million Might Save situation.
Greatly divergent views exist
among local health boards in various
parts OF tho country. The Federal
Government could bring together q
group OF men who could work out a
scheme which would include the good
and exclude the bad points of all exist
ing plans. 1t has at its disposal a
large number Of fully equipped camps,
a number Of which might be made
highly valuable In this work. and which
would be particularly useful in time
of an epidemic Of influenza or any
other disease.
During the war we have become ac-
customed to thinking in vast sums,
discussing hundreds of millions glibly
and unshrinkingly. Without the
slightest hesitation, as a matter of fact.
we have spent more than one tre-
mendous total OF the sort. Nothing so
vast would be required by the warfare
which probably would conquer this
most terrible of modern disease
enemies.
II the Government would appro-
pirate a single million for the purpose
LOT studying innuepza.s and Ot.lbraalall