Natural History of Man 109 



The Museum of Living Bacteria has continued its usual 

 service to the bacteriologists of the United States and foreign 

 countries, — a service which is becoming each year 

 Museum of more essential to the progress of systematic bac- 

 Bacteria teriology on this continent. The total number of 



strains under cultivation is now 566. During 

 the year ending December 1, 1920, 3,852 cultures were sent 

 out to different laboratories of health departments and univer- 

 sities, making a total of 30,044 cultures distributed since the 

 opening of the laboratory in 191 1. 



Two extensive monographs dealing with the classification of 

 bacteria have been published by the staff during the year, and 

 Miss Ada W. Bancroft, who is at present in charge of the 

 collection, is engaged in a complete re-testing and re-classifica- 

 tion of the strains in our collection, which promises to form 

 an important contribution to our knowledge of the systematic 

 relationships of this group. 



Curator Winslow has been invited by the League of Red 

 Cross Societies to go to Geneva to organize the public health 



work of the League in Europe and has been 

 Foreign granted leave of absence from February 1 to Oc- 



cTu7itor f0r tober ^ X 9 2I > t0 undertake this task. The League 

 Winslow at present represents some thirty national red 



cross societies, and the possibilities of service 

 through the effective coordination of the health activities of 

 these agencies is an almost unlimited one. It is gratifying to 

 feel that the influence of Museum methods in health education 

 will be extended so widely; and Dr. W. H. Park, Director of 

 Laboratories of the City Department of Health, has consented 

 to give his advice and counsel to the staff Curator Winslow 

 leaves behind so that our work at home may not suffer. 



The exhibit plans of the Department of Public Health have 

 moved forward steadily, though slowly, during the past few 

 years, owing to the limited funds at the disposal 

 Natural of the Department. It seems desirable to call 



o^Maif attention to the broad plans which the Depart- 



ment has throughout kept in mind for what 

 should ultimately form a complete Exhibit of the Natural 



