76 
IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 
Such digression is in nowise foreign to the topic which 
I will briefly treat in this paper. To the contrary it is in- 
separably related to it, with deflning line— if existing — 
dimly drawn. Thus it is clearly evident that hygienic 
measures must be encouraged and furthered if best results 
obtain. And from a health standpoint results are impossible 
without a warfare against disease. 
Japan has achieved wonderful success in her war with 
Russia. She made a systematic study of the situation 
before she began war, and knew how to make a specific 
application of her knowledge in the hour of testing. It is 
not to the wonderful success, nor the systematic study, nor 
the specific application, depicted in our daily papers and 
magazines to which we wish to call attention, but it is to 
the successful warfare against disease. The small number of 
fatalities among their wounded soldiers is as great a sur- 
prise. as the skillful and deadly effect of their firearms. It 
is said that the Jap behind the microscope is destined to 
become as famous as the Jap behind the gun. 
The etiology of traumatic diseases had its origin in 
Koch’s laboratory a few years ago, and has had its most 
extended and successful application in the Japanese army 
during the past twelve months. Japan’s success in arms is 
for the country’s immediate welfare as a nation; but her 
success in combating bacteria is for the welfare of all civ- 
ilized nations for all future time. One of the immediate 
effects will be to enlarge and intensify the interest in 
municipal hygiene. 
Social philosophers have for many years deplored the 
fact that there was a decided tendency for a drift of popu- 
lation from the country to the city. France deplored the 
idea because of the damage to the rural districts. Eng- 
land deplored the idea because of the evil and unmanagea- 
ble effect upon the city. For one reason, America deplores 
the idea on account of the unhealthy condition of the city 
life. 
Statistics, however, have shown that the number of 
deaths from infected water have been about twice as great 
