PREFACE v 



tempted to write an additional chapter upon venereal 

 diseases, but have refrained from treating this un- 

 savoury topic. I may, however, be permitted to quote 

 here from the concluding paragraph of my " Lomb 

 Prize Essay," upon Disinfection and Personal Prophy- 

 laxis against Infectious Diseases, published by the 

 American Public Health Association in 1886 : 



" This chapter might be greatly extended, but, having passed 

 in review the principal measures of individual prophylaxis against 

 those infectious diseases which are most fatal, we shall not dwell 

 upon precautions to be taken in other contagious diseases. These 

 precautions will not differ from those already recommended in 

 the cases of smallpox and scarlet fever. So, too, in regard to the 

 infectious skin diseases. These are communicated by personal 

 contact, and rarely occur except among those who neglect per- 

 sonal cleanliness as well as other sanitary laws. Soap and water 

 will generally suffice for individual prophylaxis. By avoiding 

 filthy persons as well as filthy places, the danger of contracting 

 these and certain other unmentionable infectious diseases will be 

 reduced to a minimum." 



G. M. S. 



2144 CALIFORNIA AVENUE, 



WASHINGTON, June /o, 1903. 



