98 MICROBES AND HEALTH. 



"My Dear Sir Yours of Jan. 21, directed to Dr. 

 Baker" (secretary State Board of Health), "in which 

 you ask him to submit to me a hypothetical question, 

 as to what course should be adopted by you in your 

 efforts to suppress the epidemic of measles, which I 

 understand is now prevailing in your city, has .been 

 duly considered," etc., etc. 



"The highest medical authority which I recognize in 

 this state on such subjects is the Michigan State Board 

 of Health," etc. In a pamphlet, "A Quarter Century 

 of Public Health Work in Michigan," page 20, we 

 understand the health board itself claims to be 

 "The highest authority" on "What are the dangerous 

 communicable diseases." 



What could the Attorney General be expected to 

 know about "suppressing an epidemic of measles ?" 



Why did Dr. Duffield submit this question to the 

 Attorney General ? Judging from recent developments 

 regarding the "immortal nineteen" it would seem as 

 though the Attorney General of Michigan would have 

 enough to do to attend to the duties of his office, but 

 then he may have possessed the same commendable 

 spirit as did the old lady, and the health board know- 

 ing this in advance were sure of a favorable answer, 

 and all will agree that when the Attorney General at- 

 tempts to "suppress an epidemic of measles" in Detroit 

 or anywhere else the proceedings ought to be published. 



The old lady referred to always had a good word for 

 everybody, and a bet was made that she could be in- 

 duced to condemn the acts of some one. The devil 

 was chosen as the one against whom the old lady, it 



