ruary and March fifty cases of the disease were reported. The public water supply appeared to be the only source common to all cases. The division of engineering recommended changes in the operation of the plant, including the addition of chlorine, which were placed in effect immediately. Further study of this outbreak will be made. The usual routine of correspondence with health officials regarding communicable diseases, advice by telephone, and study of reports was carried out. CONGRESS AUTHORIZES LEPROSARIUM. At Tremeloo, Belgium, 75 years ago, Joseph DeVeuster, better known as Father Damien, was born. He was educated for a business career, but when he was eighteen years old he entered holy orders, and fifteen years later, in October, 1863, went to Honolulu as a missionary in the stead of his brother. In 1864 he was ordained a priest, and during the nine years that followed he was frequently struck in his parochial work with the pitiful condition of the Hawaiian lepers. In 1873, he volunteered to take up his residence on the Island of Molokai, to which at that time all lepers were deported, and there he remained until his death on April 15, 1889. He gave evidence in 1885 of having contracted leprosy from the unfortunates committed. to his care, but he continued his labors. Leprosy is a contagious, infectious disease, which is believed to be directly communicable from one person to another person. It is believed to be caused by a microscopic vegetable parasite shaped somewhat like a small curved stick. This bacillus was discovered by Hansen in 1874. In man the disease appears in several different forms, attacking almost any organ in the body, destroying any or all of the senses, and finally producing death. There is a disease among rats which closely simulates human leprosy, and the bacillus which causes. it resembles that found in human leprosy. It is not definitely known just how the leprosy bacillus enters the body. It may be through wounds of the skin or the lining membrane of the nose and throat, and possibly it may be taken into the body with food. It is pretty definitely proven that no particular article of diet, such as fish, causes the disease. It has been thought that some insect may act as the agent which transfers the germs from sick people to well people. This is not proven. Whatever the exact mechanism in the transference of the leprosy bacillus, practical evidence shows that the disease is spread mainly by direct contact, and is most prevalent where people are dirty and overcrowded. There is no evidence that leprosy is hereditary. Practical experience has shown that segregation is the only practicable means of controlling the disease. A bill appropriating $250,000 for the purpose of establishing a national home for lepers passed the House of Representatives on May 4, 1916, and was passed by the Senate on January 25, 1917. This provides a national institution for the care and treatment of the unfortunates afflicted with this gruesome disease and solves the problem of preventing its spread in the United States. TUBERCULOSIS AND PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS WORK DURING FEBRUARY. Nursing Service. Thirty-nine cases of tuberculosis, reported through the admission and discharge service from the various tuberculosis hospitals, were investigated by the nurses of the division. Two calls for conferences with public health nurses throughout the state were made by the State Supervising Nurse. Admissions and Discharges. From February 1 to 28 inclusive, 260 notifications were received. from tuberculosis hospitals, 155 of which were of admissions, and 105 of discharge patients. Of these, 197 were referred to local public health nurses for investigation and report, 4 to other State Departments of Health, 26 were investigated by Division nurses, II were reported whose histories were not obtainable, and 22 were pending investigation. There were 104 notifications pending investigation on January 31, and of these 3 were found whose histories were not obtainable, 16 were investigated by Division nurses and 4 were returned, making a total of III pending investigation on February 28th. NOTIFICATION OF TUBERCULOSIS HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS AND Prevention of Blindness. The Division received during February 123 case reports of inflammationof the eyes of the new born, including 15 cases reported as ophthalmia neonatorum. It was necessary for the Division to supply nursing service for one case of inflammation. This child was brought to the Children's Hospital, Columbus, for further care and treatment. The responsibility for care and treatment in all other cases was left with local health officers and public health nurses. In eight instances, instructions were given by long distance telephone. ACTIVITIES OF DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH EDUCATION AND TUBERCULOSIS DURING MARCH. Lectures. During the month, the director gave three talks, the state supervising nurse seven, and the instructive nurse thirty-six. Nursing Service. Twenty-three cases of tuberculosis, reported through the admission and discharge service from the various tuberculosis hospitals, were investigated by the nurses of the division. Two conferences with public health nurses were held by the state supervising nurse, one at Columbus and one at Dayton. Twelve hundred school children in Butler county were examined by the instructive nurse. Admissions and Discharges. From March 1 to 31 inclusive, 330 notifications were received from tuberculosis hospitals, 181 of which were of admissions and 149 of discharges of patients. Of these, 271 were referred to local public health nurses for investigation and report; 3 to health officers; 3 to other State departments of health; 14 were investigated by Division nurses; 3 were reported whose histories were not obtainable; and 36 were pending investigation. There were III notifications pending investigation on February 28th, and of these eight were found whose histories were not obtainable; eight were investigated by Division nurses and two were returned, making a total of 133 pending investigation on March 31st. Notification of Tuberculosis Hospital Admissions and Discharges Received by the Division of Tuberculosis, State Department of Health, During the Month of March, 1917. (*283 actual number. — In 4 instances, the same patient was admitted to two institutions.) Prevention of Blindness. The division received during March 158 case reports of inflammation of the eyes of the new born, of which 59 were cases of ophthalmia neonatorum. It was necessary for the division to supply nursing services for two cases, responsibility for care and treatment in all other cases being left with the local health officers and public health nurses. Instructions were given by telephone and correspondence to 20 health officers. No cases of total blindness resulted, and two resulted in partial blindness. One case of prosecution, for failure to report, in Trumbull County resulted in the physician pleading guilty before the justice of the peace and paying a fine of $50.00. DIVISION OF CHILD HYGIENE. The director made four addresses throughout the state during the month, re Child Welfare Work and Baby Week Campaign, etc. On March 9th, the director visited Sandusky and conferred with county superintendent of schools and public health nurse re Trachoma Survey in Erie County schools. On March 22nd, returned to Sandusky to continue work. From March 22nd to 31st, examined the children of the county schools. During the two weeks, examined a total of 480 children, gave 27 short talks on health in schools, attended three teachers' meetings to speak on the subject of medical supervision, and addressed the conference meeting of the Sandusky Federation of Women's Clubs, at which plans were developed for the Baby Week Campaign. REPORT OF THE DIVISION OF LABORATORIES FOR MONTH ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 1917. Tuberculosis positive 93, negative 296........ Diphtheria-positive 86, negative 207, suspicious 35, unsatisfactory 8.. 389 336 Diptheria, positive 41, negative 250, suspicious 26, no growth 7. 324 |