126 MAN, — THE ANIMAL 



cessfully the attack of a vicious epidemic invader 

 than were those in which these biologic conditions 

 did not exist." Pearl. 



It would be a mistake to infer that public health 

 measures are not beneficial, for it is common 

 knowledge that improvement in sanitary condi- 

 tions has been helpful in reducing the death rate 

 in tuberculosis, typhoid, yellow fever and malaria. 

 The reduction of the death rate in diphtheria is 

 due rather to curative methods than to sanitary re- 

 form. During the war the Red Cross made ex- 

 tensive observations on the prevention of diseases 

 in France, Italy, Siberia, Greece, Bulgaria and 

 other countries and it was found that there was a 

 marked increase in tuberculosis, malaria, typhoid 

 and similar maladies. Here the increase appears 

 to be due to the privations and hardships of war. 

 This is one of those dramatic illustrations which 

 shows the beneficial results of good sanitation. 



He who is interested in the prolongation of 

 human life must understand the present-day evi- 

 dence of science concerning the agencies that cause 

 contagious diseases. Here are to be found a mass 

 of proven facts that not only command our intel- 

 lectual recognition but also have come to be 

 recognized as having a legal force. As soon as 

 one comprehends the bearing of such facts, his at- 

 tention is turned to their application and the em- 

 ployment of all agencies that make for human 



