handling, preparing or serving food, after using the toilet, after attending the sick and after handling anything dirty. Keep the hands away from the face, particularly the nose and mouth. Use a clean handkerchief. If anybody doubts the filth of their own hands and fingers, let them take note of the many unclean things they handle within a day's time. The door knob which everybody handles, for instance, may be the means of spreading many disease germs.

Wanted Farmers to Learn
Rural Sanitation and Hygiene.

The government is taking every precaution to protect the health of its soldiers in military life, requir

ing one doctor to every 100 men; federal, state and city bureaus of industrial hygiene are looking after the health of the men employed in the munition factories the industrial workers - but how about the health of the great army of men now employed in the harvest fields of the country? True, the farmer is not exposed to the same health hazards as the soldier or the industrial worker; his work in the open air is conducive to good health and he should be the healthiest of them all but unfortunately this is not always the case. Typhoid fever is one of the greatest of the rural health problems. It can and should be prevented. Just as hog cholera is being stamped out so tryphoid should be eliminated in the country.

Kansas Health Officer

Recognizing the importance of protecting Gives Some Good Tips. the health of the farm workers, T. H. Jamieson, County Health Officer of Wellington, Kansas, recently issued the following health note couched in ironical but none the less forceful language:

"Many men from many places are on the farms of Sumner county. Some may be, and probably are, 'carriers' of typhoid, hookworm or malaria. These men should be made to live up to the prevailing hygienic usages.

"If you have an open board cover at the well through which slops, wash water, and other foulness is allowed to drip into the well, these men should be allowed the same privileges at the well as you and your dog enjoy.

"If you have privies where flies feast and play, these men should have the same privilege of eating food contaminated by flies as the rest of the family.

"If you remove these filth-laden flies from the milk before serving, these strangers should have the same courtesy shown them; besides you should tell them how clean you are and prove it by producing the drowned flies. Their appetites will be stimulated by the knowledge that they are probably eating some of their own bodily ex

cretions.

"Last year one of these open privies and a 'carrier' found themselves together on a farm with an old oaken bucket, the end result was twelve cases of typhoid - yet, one died. This 'carrier' shared the

luxuries with the family and visitors, and all not immune, enjoyed a typhoid siege. Be sure not to miss your chance.

"Should you be 'persnickety' enough to want to escape typhoid, get vaccinated, make the privy vault deep and dark and the water supply safe from contamination.

"Then screen all flies OUT.”

Ohio Mortality Statistics
For 1916 Out.

*

Ohio mortality statistics for 1916, compiled by Dr. J. E. Monger, State Registrar of the Bureau of Vital Statistics, and published elsewhere in this issue of the OHIO PUBLIC HEALTH JOURNAL, will be read with interest by every public health official in the state. They are available earlier than usual. They give Ohio an increased death rate-from 13.0 to 14.4 and raise a great number of questions. They require some explanation. For instance. Akron, Summit county, is given a very large increase in its death rate from 14.2 per 1,000 of population to 19.1 or 19.4 for the county. This is undoubtedly due to an incorrect population estimate upon which the rate is based. This city as well as Toledo, Canton and other industrial centers which are also given higher death rates, have had enormous increases in population recently as evidenced by the recent registration for the army draft. While the population estimate for the army draft was probably too high, the estimate used for figuring the death rate was, no doubt, too low. Based upon the figures used for the war draft Akron would have a death rate of only 5 per 1,000 of population instead of 19.1.

While these rates may not mean any actual state of unhealfulness in the cities showing an unusually high rate, they may, at the same time, serve as a warning, for it is a well known fact that with the crowding of cities and speeding up of industries will come higher morbidity and mortality rates unless the progress of public health activities keeps pace with the growth of these cities.

The increase in the number of deaths among children from preventable causes emphasizes the importance of increasing child saving activities.

Children mean more to America today than ever before is a statement that has been repeatedly made recently, yet 782 died of measles in Ohio last year, 674 died of whooping cough and 3,107 babies under two years of age succombed to diarrhea and enteritis. There were 1,679 more deaths from these three causes last year than there were the year before.

In spite of this showing however, there will probably be those who will continue to preach and to follow the atrocious doctrine of needlessly exposing children to measles and whooping cough and feeding infants unclean milk or any kind of food that baby will take.

It is one of the triumphs for sanitary science that typhoid fever continues to show a very low death rate in this state. The tuberculosis death rate also continues to be held down, although showing a slight increase for last year over the previous year.

SECRETARY OF WAR DEMANDS SUPPRESSION OF VICE AROUND MILITARY CAMPS.

On May, 24, 1917, Secretary of War, Baker, addressed to the governors of all the states and also to the chairmen of the State Councils of Defense a letter which very clearly defines the duties of the states and local communities relative to the suppression of vice around army camps and enclosing a copy of the sections from the army bill which gives the President the authority to make such regulations as may be necessary, governing the prohibition of alcoholic. liquors in or near military camps and to aid in the control of venereal diseases in the army by the suppression of houses of illfame wherever they may attempt to oprate around any military camp, station, fort, post, cantonment, training or mobilization place.

The letter of the Secretary is plain and it is the duty of states and local communities to give prompt co-operation. The letter follows:

Dear Sir:

COUNCIL OF NATIONAL DEFENSE, WASHINGTON,

May 26, 1917.

I am very anxious to bring to the attention of the State Councils of Defense a matter in which they can be of great service to the War Department. In the training camps already established or soon to be established large bodies of men, selected primarily from the youth of the country, will be gathered together for a period of intensive discipline and training. The greater proportion of this force probably will be made up of young men who have not yet become accustomed to contact with either the saloon or the prostitute, and who will be at that plastic and generous period of life when their service to their country should be surrounded by safeguards against temptations to which they are not accustomed.

Our responsibility in this matter is not open to question. We cannot allow these young men, most of whom will have been drafted to service, to be surrounded by a vicious and demoralizing environment, nor can we leave anything undone which will protect them from unhealthy influences and crude forms of temptation. Not only have we an inescapable responsibility in this matter to the families and communities from which these young men are selected, but, from the standpoint of our duty and our determination to create an efficient army, we are bound, as a military necessity, to do everything in our power to promote the health and conserve the vitality of the men in the training camps.

I am determined that our new training camps, as well as the surrounding zones within an effective radius, shall not be places of temptation and peril. The amendments to the Army Bill recently passed, a copy of which I enclose herewith (Sections 12 and 13), give the War Department more authority in this matter than we previously possessed. On the other hand, we are not going to be able to obtain the conditions necessary to the health and vitality of our soldiers, without the full co-operation of the local authorities in the cities and towns near which our camps are located, or through which our soldiers will be passing in transit to other points.

Will you give earnest consideration to this matter in your particular State? I am confident that much can be done to arouse the cities and towns to an appreciation of their responsibility for clean conditions; and I would suggest that, through such channels as may present themselves to you, you impress upon these communities their patriotic opportunity in this matter. I would further suggest that as an integral part of the war machinery your Council make itself responsible for seeing that the laws of your State and of Congress in respect to these matters are strictly enforced. This relates not

only to the camps established under Federal authority, both the present officers' training camps and the divisional training camps soon to be opened, but to the more or less temporary mobilization points of the national guard units. It relates, too, as I have indicated, to the large centers through which soldiers will constantly be passing in transit to other points.

As I say, the War Department intends to do its full part in these matters, but we expect the co-operation and support of the local communities. If the desired end cannot otherwise be achieved, I propose to move the camps from those neighborhoods in which clean conditions cannot be secured.

In this connection, let me call your attention to the Commission on Training Camp Activities which I have organized to advise with me on questions relating to the moral hazards in our training centers, as well as to the promotion of rational recreation facilities within and without the camps. The members of this commission are as follows:

RAYMOND B. FOSDICK, Chairman,

LEE F. HANMER,

THOMAS J. HOWELLS,

JOSEPH LEE,

MALCOLM L. MCBRIDE,

JOHN R. MOTT,

CHARLES P. NEILL,

MAJOR PALMER E. PIERCE, U. S. A.,

JOSEPH E. RAYCROFT.

It is possible that the chairman of this commission or some of its members will consult with you in regard to the activities which they have in hand. I bespeak for them your utmost support and co-operation.

Very truly yours,

(Signed) NEWTON D. BAKER, Secretary of War and Chairman of the Council of National Defense.

Enclosure.

SECTIONS FROM THE ARMY BILL (H. R. 3545) APPROVED BY THE PRESIDENT

MAY 18, 1917.

Sec. 12. That the President of the United States, as the Commanderin Chief of the Army, is authorized to make such regulations governing the prohibition of alcoholic liquors in or near military camps and to the officers and enlisted men of the Army as he may from time to time deem necessary or advisable: Provided, That no person, corporation, partnership, or association shall sell, supply, or have in his or its possession any intoxicating or spiritous liquors at any military station, cantonment, camp, fort, post, officers' or enlisted men's club, which is being used at the time for military purposes under this Act, but the Secretary of War may make regulations permitting the sale and use of intoxicating liquors for medicinal purposes. It shall be unlawful to sell any intoxicating liquor, including beer, ale, or wine, to any officer or member of the military forces while in uniform, except as herein provided. Any person, corporation, partnership, or association violating the provisions of this section or the regulations made thereunder shall, unless otherwise punishable under the Articles of War, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than twelve months, or both.

Sec. 13. That the Secretary of War is hereby authorized, empowered, and directed during the present war to do everything by him deemed necessary to suppress and prevent the keeping or setting up of houses of ill fame. brothels, or bawdy houses within such distance as he may deem needful of any military camp, station, fort, post, cantonment, training, or mobilization place. and any person, corporation, partnership, or association receiving or permitting to be received for immoral purposes any person into any place, structure, or building used for the purpose of lewdness, assignation, or prostitution within such distance of said places as may be designated, or shall permit any such person to remain for immoral purposes in any such place, structure, or build

ing as aforesaid, or who shall violate any order, rule, or regulation issued to carry out the object and purpose of this section shall, unless otherwise punishable under the Articles of War, be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000, or imprisonment for not more than twelve months, or both.

Commenting upon the Secretary's letter the American Social Hygiene Association, in its June bulletin says:

"This official declaration of the attitude of the Department of War seems to have made a profound impression in places where the activities of vice interests were threatened. Doubt as to whether Secretary Baker really meant what he said did not long remain. Reliable reports that conditions in San Antonio, Texas, near which Fort Sam Houston and the officers' training camp at Leon Springs are situated, were far from satisfactory, were promptly followed by a stern warning to the San Antonio authorities that unless the city made a thorough and permanent clean-up, all military activities would be. removed. The following resolutions indicate that this warning was taken seriously:

"Be it Resolved by the City Commissioners of the City of San Antonio, Texas:

"1. That the Police Department be directed to close every house of ill fame within the limits of the City of San Antonio and to arrest all inmates and prosecute them vigorously to the limits of the law.

"2. That the Police Department be instructed to strictly enforce the law against gambling and to arrest all offenders and prosecute them vigorously. "3. That the Police Department be instructed to arrest all parties selling intoxicating liquors to soldiers.

"4. That the Police Department be instructed to vigorously enforce the State laws governing vagrancy and all other offenses, so as to rid the city at the earliest possible moment of all undesirable citizens, both male and female.

"5. That the Police Commissioner of this city be authorized and instructed to appoint additional policemen and detectives as in his judgment may be best in order to carry out the above resolutions, such increase in policemen and detectives not to exceed fifty unless further ordered by this Commission.

"6. That the City Commissioners agree to pay for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person selling liquor to soldiers in uniform the sum of one hundred dollars ($100), which amount will be paid upon the conviction of the guilty party or parties.

"7. That the State, county and governmental authorities be requested to assist in the enforcement of the laws as above outlined."

"The latest reports from San Antonio indicate that the new city government which took office on June first is vigorously proceeding with this law enforcement policy; numerous arrests have been made and actions under the injunction and abatement law are being brought; many prostitutes have left the city; and it seems assured that commercialized prostitution will be reduced to a minimum. Similar activities are reported from other cities in the vicinity of military camps."