REINHARD 



and much more extensive experiments should be conducted in which 

 the wide variance in soil character and chemical composition are 

 considered. 



On the basis of preceding information, we can reasonable expect 

 that the physical environment in arctic communities should be cap- 

 able of maintaining viral contamination for extended periods of time. 

 As a further complication, the low ambient temperatures of most of 

 the seasons would tend to hinder means of eliminating pollution with 

 viruses, for it is known that the virucidal activity of halogens is 

 much reduced at low temperatures (Clarke and Kabler, 19 54; Clarke 

 et al,, 1956). Clearly, enterovirus activity in arctic communities 

 presents challenging issues to the microbiologist, epidemiologist, 

 and sanitary engineer. Imaginative and thorough research would be 

 required to clarify these issues. 



The scope and depth of virological and immunological research 

 in recent years have forced a revision of many a time- honored epi- 

 demiological or bionomic concept. The revisions have occasionally 

 been drastic. In accordance with progress, it would be well to re- 

 examine critically the current concepts of arctic epidemiology and 

 change them to conform with the facts of natural history as they 

 are discerned by more subtle and penetrating scientific approach 

 and methodology. We are, however, confronted with two conditions 

 that are conducive to investigational inadequacy. First is the rela- 

 tively undeveloped condition of arctic biomedical research in that it 

 has been accustomed to dull, often obsolescent tools, and has 

 been carried out in piecemeal, often superficial fashion. Second 

 is the condition of the arctic human community; it is in a state of 

 rapid change socially, culturally, demographically, and econom- 

 ically. The scientific approaches must be equal to the task of dis- 

 cerning the forces which produce the changes as well as recording 

 the changes quantitatively and qualitatively. 



The Arctic offers fabulous opportunities for imaginative, tech- 

 nologically-solid epidemiological research. The unique facilities of 

 the Arctic are the small villages with well defined, fairly stable 

 populations. These villages can serve as convenient, easily com- 

 prehended population study groups. The semi- isolation offers ex- 

 cellent opportunity for the controlled study of natural introduction, 



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