FOREWORD AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 



THE decision of the League of Red Cross Societies to send a 

 commission to Poland for the purpose of making researches 

 upon Typhus was initiated by Richard P. Strong then Med- 

 ical Director of the League of Red Cross Societies. 



The laboratory members of the Commission sailed from New 

 York on the thirtieth of January, 1920 with the intention of re- 

 turning in July or August. Owing to delays caused by diffi- 

 culties of transportation and supply the Commission did not 

 arrive in Warsaw until the twenty-fifth of February. The 

 original destination was Vilna, but after a brief visit there it was 

 decided that better opportunities for the work were to be had in 

 Warsaw through the facilities offered by the Polish Govern- 

 ment. There were still many difficulties to be overcome and 

 not until the end of March were observations begun. 



On every side, interest in and willingness to assist the work 

 was evidenced. Thanks are due from the members of the Com- 

 mission to Mr. Hugh Gibson, American Minister to Poland, 

 Sir Horace Rumbold, British Minister to Poland, Mr. William 

 C. Boy den, Commissioner of the League of Red Cross Societies 

 to Poland, Colonel Henry A. Shaw, Chief of Sanitary Depart- 

 ment of the League of Red Cross Societies in Poland, and to 

 Colonel A. J. Chesley, American Red Cross Commissioner to 

 Poland; it is especially wished to express thanks to the staff of 

 the American Red Cross in Poland, who individually willingly 

 met many calls for help. 



Without the keen cooperation received from the Polish 

 authorities, the work of the Commission would have been im- 

 possible. By every representative of the Polish Government, 

 from the Chief of State, General Pilsudski, downwards, earnest 

 and intelligent assistance was constantly evidenced. Excellent 

 facilities for the Commission's work were provided in Warsaw. 

 Two wards of the St. Stanislaus Typhus Hospital were placed 

 entirely under its control. Very ample laboratory space was 



