Galicia, and these conditions demand an immediate intervention of the European powers, even if they were not a constant source of danger for the whole of Europe. For the time being, the coefficient of diseases is increasing on all sides. According to scientific research the epidemic increases during March and April, and only attains its culminating point at the end of April and in May; therefore, we must expect a progress of the epidemic and its destructive spreading in countries of central Europe that have heretofore been spared. We can not foresee when and where the epidemic will stop. It is a great danger for the western countries, so that not only human solidarity but also the certainty of contagion-the immediate danger for the western countries-implies a common action of assistance of all the European countries. The sanitary delegates assembled in Vienna decided unanimously on March 1 to send the following telegram to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva: "To-day's conference of all sanitary delegates of former AustroHungarian countries confirms far-spread epidemic of spotted typhus in Ukraine, Poland, Serbia. Central and western Europe threatened. In accordance with decision of conference, Austrian Red Cross begs Red Cross, Geneva, convoke immediate meeting international commission with all necessary authorization and means of help and equal assistance of all European countries as during typhus epidemic in Serbia in 1915. Detailed report will follow." The undersigned committee repeats, with reference to the condition of affairs described in the preceding, an urgent appeal to the International Committee and begs that in consideration of the extreme seriousness of the sanitary situation, thorough and rapid aid may be granted. For the Central Committee: (Signed) TRAUN. ATTENDANCE AT FREE VENEREAL DISEASE CLINICS OPERATED IN EXTRA-CANTONMENT ZONES. The activities of the 239 free venereal disease clinics operated by, or in cooperation with, the United States Public Health Service can best be understood by a consideration of the report on the operation of the 25 clinics situated in the extra-cantonment zone areas. These 25 clinics, although they are in communities where the laws regarding the suppression of vice are rigidly enforced, and where the control of communicable diseases is well in hand, are typical of the average clinic operated under the joint supervision of the State boards of health and the United States Public Health Service. The accompanying table, therefore, while including only the clinics operating in these zones may be used as an index to the work in general at the other free venereal disease clinics. With the signing of the armistice and the rapid demobilization of troops, which naturally led, in a greater or less degree, to the diminishing of the intensive work done by the police and local authorities during the war in connection with the suppression of vice, we find the average daily attendance at these clinics increasing. The increase is due entirely to the great number of patients voluntarily applying to the clinics for treatment. During the first three months of 1919, the voluntary visits constituted between 60 and 70 per cent of the total visits. Of the 25,616 visits made during March, it is noted that 17,806, or 69.6 per cent, were voluntary, the remaining 7,810, or 30.4 per cent, being involuntary. During this same period there was a total of 7,336 new patients admitted to these clinics, making an average of 109 new admissions to each clinic during each of these three months. From July 1, 1918, to April 1, 1919, there were 36,595 patients treated in these clinics. The total number of patients discharged as "probably cured" during this period was 9,769. Average daily attendance, by months, at the free venereal-disease clinics operate! in the extra-cantonment zones, July, 1918, to March, 1919, inclusive. DEATHS DURING WEEK ENDED MAY 10, 1919, IN CITIES. The table following shows the registered deaths from all causes and from pneumonia (all forms) and influenza combined in certain large cities of the United States during the week ended May 10, 1919. The data are taken from the "Weekly Health Index," May 13, 1919, issued by the Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce. Registered deaths and annual death rates per 1,000 population in certain large cities of the United States, week ended May 10, 1919-Deaths from all causes, and from pneumonia (all forms) and influenza combined. "A" indicates that the rate given is the average annual death rate per 1,000 population for the corre sponding week of the years 1913 to 1917, inclusive. "C" indicates that the rate is the annual death rate per 1,000 population for the corresponding week of 1918. Population estimated as of July 1, 1919. Rate is based on statistics of 1915, 1916, and 1917. |