INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH 155 



tribution of vital statistics which will inevitably be 

 steadily elaborated during succeeding decades. 



Growth of health organizations in different countries 

 is constantly recorded. The leading nations of the 

 world are giving increasing attention to health adminis- 

 tration; administrative areas are being organized and 

 trained sanitarians put in charge. Not only is this 

 national organization going forward, but the nations 

 are drawing closer together in their cooperation for 

 world health. The first European conference to con- 

 sider health problems was held in 1851. Twelve nations 

 were represented. Concerted measures against cholera, 

 plague, and yellow fever were adopted. Thereafter at 

 intervals of a few years other congresses were called to 

 insure better team-work in conformity with rapidly ad- 

 vancing knowledge of preventive medicine. In 1902 

 an International Sanitary Bureau was established in 

 Washington by the Pan-American Union. Finally, in 

 1908, a permanent International Office of Hygiene, 

 which has already been mentioned, was established in 

 Paris. 



The most significant development in this world 

 movement is the recent creation under the League of 

 Nations of a Health Organization which has the direct 

 support of fifty-two nations and the sympathetic co- 

 operation of the United States. The programme of 

 the League's Health Organization includes the gather- 

 ing of vital statistics, prompt notification of epidemics, 

 a standardizing of vaccines and sera, international con- 

 ferences and exchanges of health officers, securing of 

 better health conditions for sailors on shipboard and in 



