presumed to be the owner thereof, and in case of unknown persons having or claiming any ownership, right, title, or interest in property. affected by the action, such may be made parties to the action by designating them in the petition as "all other persons unknown claiming any ownership, right, title, or interest in the property affected by the action" and service thereon may be had by publication in the manner prescribel by law. Any person having or claiming such ownership, right, title, or interest, and any owner or agent in behalf of himself and such owner may make defense thereto and have trial of his rights in the premises by the court; and if said cause has already proceeded to trial or to findings and judgment, the court shall by order fix the time and place of such further trial and shall modify, add to, or confirm such findings and judgment as the case may require. Other parties to said action shall not be affected thereby.

SECTIONN II. Should any provision or item of this act be held unconstitutional, such fact shall not be held to invalidate the other provisions and items thereof.

SECTION 12. If a tenant or occupant of a building or tenement, under a lawful title uses such place for the purpose of lewdness, assignation, or prostitution such use shall annul and make void the lease or other title under which he holds at the option of the owner and, without any act of the owner, shall cause the right of possession to revert and vest in him, and he may without process of law make immediate entry upon the premises.

WHO PAYS THE BILLS?

It is peculiar irony of free government that the people pay the bills for what they do not want as well as for what they want. The Elyria Board of Health passed an ordinance some time ago requiring that only pasteurized milk may be sold, purchased or consumed. in this city.

The action was an unpopular, although a wise one.

Pasteuriza

tion has been proven beyond all doubt to be the safest system of handling milk in large quantities to be distributed to numerous persons under various circumstances. We believe the action of the board was for the conservation of the health of the city.

But some people could not see it that way and forced the Health Board to go to court to prove their right to say that legislation which aimed to protect the general health of the city was justified, proper and legal.

This opposition will cost the city about five hundred dollars to show them the error of their way of thinking in this matter. As we said before, it does not matter whether we drink milk boiled or raw, the people pay just the same. - Elyria Chronicle.

TRACHOMA AND THE ARMY.*

The Dangers Incident to Enlisting Recruits Affected With the Disease.

JOHN MCMULLEN.

Surgeon, United States Public Health Service.

Now that our country is engaged in raising a great army, it is our duty to prevent the admission to the Army of recruits who may spread disease.

The history of European wars shows that trachoma has been a grave menace to the efficiency of the fighting forces, invaliding thousands of men and blinding large numbers of its victims. So great has been the prevalence in the armies that trachoma was at one time termed "military ophthalmia" and believed to be confined to soldiers. Various articles of their equipment were condemned as being the cause of the disease.

Trachoma has been said to be "as old as the Nile, the simoon, and the desert." It has an historical importance as an epidemic disease of both military and civil life and has made fearful ravages in practically every European country.

Despite the confusing and contradictory statements in connection with trachoma, the contagious character of this disease is unquestionable.

During the first half of the nineteenth century I soldier in every 5 of the Belgian Army is said to have suffered from trachoma. It is alleged that upon the recommendation of a noted authority at that time the trachomatous soldiers were discharged from the army to their homes. This procedure cleared the army of trachoma at that particular time, but carried the disease directly to the homes and the civilian population, where it previously did not exist. This removed all doubt as to the contagiousness of trachoma, which at that time was denied by some, and subsequent cases in the army were isolated in special hospitals, which caused a diminution in the disease.

It is stated that in some countries there were frightful epidemics. of trachoma, and that the English, Prussian, Russian, and other armies suffered from the ravages of this disease.

During the Russo-Japanese War trachoma was a formidable. enemy to be reckoned with in the Japanese Army and large numbers. of troops were isolated and treated for this malady.

Some months since it was reported that an epidemic of trachoma. was causing considerable anxiety in France, the disease having been brought to that country by African soldiers and laborers. In the army the disease was checked by the quick isolation of all victims and other drastic measures. Among the civilian population, however. the epidemic was still spreading, especially in the larger cities, and the health authorities were taking every precaution. All persons whose

* From Public Health Reports U. S. Public Health Service July 13, 1917.

eyes showed any inflammation were examined by specialists and isolated if suspicious.

Statistics from the medical inspection of aliens at United States ports indicate that trachoma is found most extensively among the Syrian, Armenian, Hebrew, Italian, Polish, and Greek races. Trachoma, however, extends more or less over the whole world and exists in many places in the United States as an endemic disease. Lasting as it does for years, it is a constant irritation and discomfort to the patient, impairing his earning capacity and efficiency as a workman and soldier, ruining the life and happiness of entire families and finally terminating in many instances in total blindness. After nearly a lifetime of misery the patient is often seen dwarfed in mind and warped in body with the trichiasis, entropion, and other sequelæ still remaining to harass and irritate the now sightless eyes.

Several years ago the Public Health Service instituted an investigation into the prevalence of trachoma in the United States. Investigations were made among the Indians, and the residents of the Appalachian Mountain range and other sections of the country. The Indians were found to be almost universally infected and on some re servations 90 per cent had trachoma. This survey showed that the disease exists more or less throughout "Appalachian America" and, in some portions the infection was found to be as high as 10 to 12 per cent. of the population and in some communities even a higher rate of infection was found. In sections of Minnesota trachoma was found. The disease is also reported from Ohio, Indiana, Kansas, and other States. In fact, it is found to be widely distributed in our country. It is not an uncommon thing to see in one family several generations with trachoma. So prevalent and widespread is the infection. in some sections of the United States that the Public Health Service has established and maintains in those sections six ophthalmic hospitals for the treatment of trachoma, which is classed by the Government as a dangerous contagious disease.

These hospitals have now been in operation for several years and, during the past year, a total of 19,530 patients were treated; 1,880 patients were admitted to the hospitals and 1,687 operations were performed. Of this number, 1,153 were under local and 534 under general anesthesia. The records show that at least one-half of our trachoma patients have impairment of vision, ranging all the way from slight defects to total blindness. Ulcer and corneal opacity occur in 25 per cent. of the cases; pannus is present in 20 per cent.; and photophobia was recorded in 33 1/3 per cent.; entropion and trichiasis in 10 to 15 per cent. of the cases. Entire families are found suffering from trachoma, including both extremes of life.

The diagnosis of trachoma is still based on clinical evidence, since the causal organism is as yet unknown. Diagnosis, therefore, is in many cases difficult. There are many cases which are found only by careful examination as but few if any symptoms may be present at the time of examination and the condition may be said to be latent or dormant. Sooner or later, however, by reason of a foreign body or other excitant, there arises a condition analogous to acute granula

tions with the watery secretion so characteristic of the disease and the other familiar symptoms. In this stage the disease is highly infectious.

Trachoma is transmitted from the sick to the well by the secretion which is conveyed to the healthy eye by means of such infected articles as towels, handkerchiefs, bed linen, etc.

Like most communicable diseases, trachoma spreads where people are crowded together, as in barracks, penal establishments, orphan asylums, etc.

Armies originally get trachoma from the infected civil population in the areas from which recruits are accepted, and give it back to the people, often with interest, when men are discharged who have served their enlistment or become incapacitated.

Trachoma is essentially a chronic disease, and untreated lasts ordinarily the better part of a lifetime. It is a surgical affection and, if anything like satisfactory or permanent results are to be obtained, it must be by properly and skillfully conducted surgical proceedings, and, in many cases, hospital care.

With the proper surgical procedure followed by the after care and treatment, any case of trachoma can be cured, the length of time required to effect a cure depending upon its duration, severity, and other factors. In children, when seen early, the disease is usually readily eradicated and they can return to school in a short time. While occasionally cases of trachoma continue for years with but comparatively small damage to the cornea, others produce corneal complications early and persistently and the eye is lost in a short time.

The results that are being obtained in the 6 Public Health Service trachoma hospitals are exceedingly satisfactory. During the past fiscal year about 1,500 cures have been effected. Adults who have suffered from trachoma for years and were dependent upon their friends or the county for support, some being inmates of the poorhouse, have been relieved, are no longer foci of infection, have taken their places in the community, and are earning a livelihood for themselves and family. Children unable to attend school because of the constant physical suffering and impaired vision are now securing the education which would have been impossible but for timely interference.

There is no lack of evidence that we have a great deal of trachoma in this country, and that it is a public health problem to be dealt with before the disease establishes foci everywhere.

As previously stated, trachoma often exists in a latent or dormant stage, and there is grave danger that recruits may be enlisted suffering with this disease unless the greatest care is exercised.

The eyelids of all soldiers and applicants for enlistment should in every instance be everted, the examination to include the retrotarsal fold, and the condition of the membranes noted in a space on the blank form reserved for this purpose. If the eyelids are not smooth and pink, if there is any redness or secretion, especially in the retrotarsal fold, such cases should be segregated for examination by those trained in the diagnosis of trachoma. An applicant who is found. to be suffering with a well-marked trachoma, should not be imme

diately rejected, but should be given treatment and his trachoma cured. He can then be again examined to determine whether he has resulting visual defects sufficient to cause his rejection. In this way a case of contagious disease will be eliminated and probably a good soldier gained.

Any case of trachoma or suspected trachoma detected among soldiers or sailors should be immediately isolated under care and treatment until cured or until the suspected diagnosis is found to be in error.

RULES FOR KEEPING COMFORTABLE DESPITE HOT

WEATHER.

The art of keeping cool in summer depends upon just two things; first, generating just as little heat as possible, and second, getting rid of all the excess heat you can.

To avoid heat, eat sparingly. Chew what you eat to such a fine pulp that it will swallow itself. You won't want to eat nearly so much that way and your stomach won't have so much to do either. Let your diet consist largely of non-heat producing articles like fresh fruits and vegetables. Eat very sparingly of meats, especially fat pork, butter, oily and starchy substances. It is a good plan to omit fried foods, and all substances having a tendency to constipation. By all means, keep the bowels moving freely once or twice a day.

Drink twice as much water as you have been accustomed to drink. It will help you cool off as perspiration and also to keep your sewer system flushed out, which is very essential for hot weather comfort.

Avoid alcoholic drinks of all kinds if you don't want to burn up. Now certain patent medicines are church whiskey. You'll see them advertised in a few religious papers. Many an otherwise saint tipples or falls off the water wagon on account of these patent medicines, the base of which is alcohol.

Bathe daily. It will rinse off all the old vile matter excreted by the skin. It will refresh you and start you off feeling fine in the morning. A cool bath upon arising( if no more than a brisk rub down around the chest and abdomen is an excellent tonic and will increase your resistance to diseases immensely.

A good night's sleep is one of the best means of preparing for a hot day. Get thoroughly cooled off by taking a bath just before retiring and you will go to sleep in spite of the heat before you know it.

Do as much of your work in the shade as possible. Walk on the shady side of the street. Do your hard work during the coolest part of the day. Don't hurry to much.

Don't wear heavy, black clothing. Wear light-weight, light-color clothing, and as little as the laws of the land will permit- that's mighty little these days. "Equal rights" for men!

Last of all, don't worry. It's going to be hot just the same. Let the other fellow do the worrying and then laugh at him. It is such a comfort to see the other fellow have to complain first. You can stand it several degrees hotter, if you can just make the other fellow wilt first. The Healthy Home.