study of each individual case as soon as it appears and the education of each infected family as to the necessary precautions.

The intelligent solution of the problem will require a large increase in the laboratory staff for the diagnosis of early cases and the detection of the typhoid carriers.

During the year a most interesting epidemic of para-typhoid occurred and was studied carefully from an epidemological and bacteriological standpoint. A temporary laboratory was installed in the city of Staunton and a thorough study was made of the conditions in that city. The results will be reported more fully in other publications.

The typhoid problem in Virginia cannot be successfully attacked from any one standpoint. The methods of spread of the disease in this climate are many and the conditions in each community differ widely. The solution lies in the purification of the water supplies of the State, the improvement of methods of disposal of excreta, the education of the individual families as to the most minute and rigid observation of preventive precautions and the bacteriologic examination of all cases suspected of being carriers of the disease.

The Federation of Labor and Public Health.

The last annual meeting of the Virginia Federation of Labor, which met in Newport News, June 1-3, 1909, placed itself squarely on record in the cause of public health. The resolutions printed below, and unanimously adopted by the Federation, show how the Federation realizes the menace of tuberculosis and is preparing to enlist in the fight to exterminate the White plague.

The State Board of Health stands ready to assist the Federation and all its local unions in carrying out the purpose expressed in the third resolution. The Health Department will furnish to local unions all desired information on the various aspects of public health work and will, wherever possible, furnish speakers on health subjects before gatherings of trade-unionists.

The resolutions adopted by the Federation were introduced by Mr. M. R. Pace, of Richmond, and are as follows:

Whereas the spread of consumption and similar communicable diseases among the families of workingmen presents one of the most distressing and difficult problems of organized labor; and

Whereas we wish to provide for the physical welfare of the unionist

as well as for his material betterment; be it

Resolved by the Virginia Federation of Labor-first, That we put on record our firm allegiance to the principles of public health for combatting consumption and kindred diseases.

Second, That we pledge our support to all reasonable health measures, and will endeavor to uphold the same in our respective communities; and will spread the gospel of good health, as far as lies in our power, inculcating into our families and fellow-workmen a knowledge of the principles whereby disease may be prevented.

Third, That we recommend to the local unions in all the federated trades a close attention to the health of their members, and we further recommend their study of the principles of good health, through lectures, reading and similar means.

summer.

Diphtheria.

As was expected, diphtheria reappeared with the end of the Only a very few cases were reported during the summer months, but with the first touch of fall cases began to be reported from many communities of the State. The number of cases will probably increase until the beginning of the new year. All physi

cians of the State should be on the lookout for cases of the disease.

In this connection, this Department desires to call attention anew to its arrangement for the distribution, of antitoxin. Any physician can order antitoxin from the Department for the use of his patients. A large stock of the remedy is kept on hand in Richmond, and is shipped immediateely upon the receipt of the order. This antitoxin is sold at the following rate :

The only condition attached to the distribution of this antitoxin is that it be distributed free to the patients by the city, county, or town, or sold at actual cost to the poor by the physician.

The extremely low price at which this antitoxin is sold makes its free use available to every citizen of the State. Many counties and towns have ordered a small supply, which they keep on hand for free distribution, and the Department is constantly sending shipments to physicians upon telegraphic and telephonic requests.

way.

An enormous quantity of antitoxin has been distributed in this More than 600,000 units were shipped during the first half of September. We believe that the free use of antitoxin, made possible by this arrangement, has saved scores of lives and prevented hundreds of cases of diphtheria in the State.

The American Public Health Association.

At the time of going to press, the meeting of the American Public Health Association, to be held in Richmond, is but a few weeks off. The Association, in accepting the invitation to meet in Richmond for its annual session this year, was largely influenced by the fact that much good could be accomplished in Virginia and throughout the South by a visit of the Association. A large majority of the most prominent sanitarians of the country will be present at the meeting. It is hoped that many of the local health officers of the State will become members of the Association and participate in its benefits.

It is confidently expected that the meeting in Richmond will be one of the most successful in the history of the Association, and that Richmond will uphold her reputation for Southern hospitality. at the time of the convention.

DEPARTMEN

HEALTH

BULLETIN

Entered as second-class matter July 28, 1908, at the post-office at Richmond, Virginia, under the Act of July 16, 1894.

First Congressional District.

STANLEY H. GRAVES, M. D.....

Second Congressional District.

J. B. FISHER, M. D.......

Third Congressional District.

O. C. WRIGHT, M. D.... . .

Fourth Congressional District.

LEWIS E. HARVIE, M. D.......

Fifth Congressional District.

R. W. MARTIN, M. D.......

Sixth Congressional District.

S. P. LATANE, M. D.....

Seventh Congressional District.

W. M. SMITH, M. D......

Eighth Congressional District.

J. H. DUNKLEY, M. D.......

Ninth Congressional District.

REID WHITE, M. D....

Tenth Congressional District.

. Norfolk.

Midlothian.

Jarratts.

.Danville.

Lynchburg.

Winchester.

Alexandria.

Saltville.

.Lexington.

GEO. BEN JOHNSTON, M. D.; STUART MCGUIRE, M. D.

City of Richmond.