Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-06
BY HAROLD B. ROGERS.

Len tNOuSanQ mice nave moved
into the new National Institute of
Health, near Bethesda. Md, as one
OF the features of gradual transfer
Of this research phase of the Gov
eminent to its country scientific
center.
The mice came from Harvard Uni
versity, where they had been located
in the laboratory of the United
States Public Health Service. They
are used in cancer research work.
The tiny rodents were placed in
the new building of the National
Cancer Institute. which is a part of
the National Institute of Health
Divided into small boxes, ranging
from two to about seven mice each.
they fill several specially constructed
rooms, where the air is constantly
changed by . special ventilating
system, not connected with the rest
of the building.
Carefully cared for and we'll fed
and watered, most of the mice are
waxing fat and are proving val
liable aid to science in its study Of
the cause, prevention and methods
Of diagnosis and treatment Of
cancer.
Now Second in Deaths.
Hundreds OF pieces of laboratory
equipment are being moved into the
National Cancer Institute Building.
in preparation for continuing the
Governments fight against a dis
ease which is definitely on the in
crease. Records show that Is years
ago cancer stood seventh in the list
Of causes of death. Now it is sec
ond. claimil g more than 100000
lives annua ~. causing more than
twice as ma.ly deaths as are attrib-
uted to tuberculosis.
The National Cancer Institute is
only one of six buildings on the
country site of the National Insti-
tute of Health at Bethesda. Four
of these are either occupied or now
being fitted for work and the other
two are under construction and ex-
pected to be ready for occupancy
next July
DR.. L. R. Thompson, director of
the National Institute of Health
from his office in the administration
building. predicted that the central
ization of most of the facilities of
the institute at this one place would
greatly improve it's efficiency and its
service to the public.
Research Division.
The National Institute of Health,
explained the director, is the re-
search division of the United States
Public Health Service, and is an out
growth of the former HYGIENE Lab
oratory, which was established in the
Marine Hospital in New York in
1887. This little laboratory years
ago was transferred to Washington
and given the name of Hygienic
Laboratory. In 1901 Congress ex-
panded it's facilities with five acres
of land and additional buildings at
Twenty-fifth and E streets NV.
Expanding its service to the public.
the laboratory was later given new
recognition by Congress in 1880 when
the name was changed to the Ma
tional Institute of Health. Under
this act, the institute can accept
gifts, and cooperate on broader
scope with foundations and in the
establishment of research fellow
ships.
The purpose of the National Insti-
tute of Health, DR.. Thompson ex-
planned, is, generally speaking, ito
prosecute all kinds of research con-
corning the health of our people at
any time, in any way, in any place.
THE studies so undertaken, he
continued, may be fundamental in
nature or they may have immediate
and direct application; they may be
confined to a highly specialized
branch of medicine; they may touch
upon problems of sanitation, or they
may involve studies of administra-
tive methods as applied to public
health organizations and hospitals
throughout the country. They are
limited only by funds and personnel
available, always bearing In mind
that they must pertain to the public
health"
OF direct concern to every man,
woman and child in the country,
DR.. Thompson emphasizes, is the
work of the institute in the CON
troll of biologic products" The in
stitute is charged by Congress with
control over the production and
sale of serums, vaccines, anti-toxins
and analogous products for human
use intended for interstate traffic.
This is intended" he explained,
ito provide a method whereby the
practicing physician may rest as
sured, when he administers q
biologic remedy to q patient, that
the product supplied him by the