Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-11

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tsfeuiar cainpaigns-a war
fare against Invisible germs
~ which MAIN and kill men
lis being conducted close to
she shadow Of the Lincoln Memorial
from a high crowned setting which
OyerIooks the Potomac.
Thousands of motorists who pass
that way daily little know that dramas
designed to sidetrack death and shunt
the grim reaper into the background
are being enacted only short dis
lance from the. paved pathways over
which roll their modern automobiles.
The United States HYGIENE Labo-
ratory, tributary of the Public
Health Service. is little known to the
average Washingtonian, for it is
Federal establishment that is science
wise and hence publicity-shy. The
voice of assured conceit has never re-
sounded from it's halls. 1t never trum-
pets it's consummations for public re-
view and plaudits. In its reserved,
retiring, conservative way it continues
its wonderful work of battling an in
visible empire--a monarchy OF mi
crobes which attack mankind and uni
versaliy spead suffering and sorrow. !,
The sort Of folks you read about but
seldom see-soldiers of science who
bred by acknowledgements the corps
OF 125 DOCTORS. medical aides, bac
teriologists, chemists and laboratory
assistants at the HYGIENE Laboratory.
Hazards as great as mountain
climbers venture, risks such as big
game hunters run, jeopardies known
to explorers and dangers which our
national defenders sometimes greet
are found at the United States Hygi-
enic Laboratory in strange scientific
form.
You see there innocent looking bun
MES" chewing clover contentedly.
Merely touch one of these rabbits and
YOU will develop tularaemia. known
in Utah as deer fly fever, a disease
which will incapacitate lou in the
hospital for anywhere from three
weeks TO three months or longer.
Perhaps you spy little guinea pig
that has ecaped from his cage. With
out thinking, you might, as did a GER
tain laboratory assistant, chase and
capture the little animal. In resent
Ing such familiarity, the pig" might
nip you on the finger. And by this
aatural act of self-defense the labo-
.atory animal might transmit to you
Infectious germs of rabies which pro-
luce dreaded hydrophobia.
In Misunderstanding test tube,
borked with cotton, you see brownish-
black appearing material, 1t is cui.
fure of the Mediterranean fever germs,
imported from PARKWAY Tunis, in
Africa. All you have to do is poke
around with that scientific specimen
= bit In order to contract recurrent
Mediterranean fever, against which
there is no known preventive.
In another laboratory are samples
of Montana woodticks. Let them bite
you and these Capt. Kids of an i'm
nortant disease will inoculate you with
Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
IF you covet serious sickness in di'
versifled form, you can find it at
the Government hygienic lab" where
The germs which cause tetanus. ty-
pboid fever, diphtheria, tuberculosis,
hotulism and leprosy are near neigh
bors. protected by overcoats of glass
m. cages of wire.
Federal scientists daily rub elbows
with these ''wreckers of health and
b.npiness" without fear or trembling.
working with deadly germs is just
repuIar part of their routine work.
sThey employ precautions and use pre-
yenfiyes, but occasionally they be-
r.one infected with diseases which
.suse severe sickness. and even death.
Uncle Sans resourceful army of
r,edical scientists seek to safeguard
ar national health and TO make the
T-nited States a more secure and sat
ssfactory nome in which to reside.
This is one of the biggest contracts
.,,ar undertaken. 1t means incessant
.~rife from now Until miilenniun's last
ss,nset against foes 80 small that they