February, ’18] 
FELT: INSECTS AND CAMP SANITATION 
99 
Large portions of the world are already in the condition described in the 
last sentence and considerable areas have suffered so greatly that gen¬ 
eral impoverishment is almost unavoidable and as the war continues 
larger areas, possibly territories inhabited by several nations, will be 
reduced to this pitiable condition. 
Summary. —Diseases are responsible for more deaths in armies 
during war time than are caused by wounds. 
Insects are known carriers of some of the most deadly infections of 
the soldier and the only known means of dissemination for certain of 
these diseases. 
Available data appear to justify the opinion that over one half of all 
the deaths in armies due to disease are caused by infections easily and 
frequently carried by insects, and some only through insect agencies. 
Preventive inoculation has largely eliminated the danger from 
typhoid fever, though it is of no value against the nearly equally deadly 
dysentery. The insect menace is therefore, judged from both a mili¬ 
tary and economic standpoint, most serious and its reduction to the 
lowest possible terms is abundantly justified. This is not only im¬ 
portant during war time but doubly necessary at and just after the 
conclusion of peace. 
The military history of the world abounds with appalling examples 
of disaster following the appearance and rapid spread of insect-borne 
epidemics, one such already being known in connection with the 
present conflict. 
The experience of our adversaries in this struggle has demonstrated 
that there cannot be too great preparation along medical and sanitary 
lines, while our allies have been forced by developments to make use 
of available entomological talent. 
It is well known that camp conditions are favorable to the develop¬ 
ment of insects and, moreover, that these pests may thrive under very 
diverse conditions and gain access to deadly infections in most un¬ 
expected places. 
The satisfactory control of such pests requires expert knowledge 
based upon arduous training and extensive experience and consequently 
we believe that the entomologist, the man with practical experience 
in the control of insect outbreaks, is in position to render invaluable 
service in protecting the health of our troops and at the same time 
relieving to a certain extent members of the sanitary and medical 
corps for their very important and frequently most pressing duties. 
President R. A. Cooley: We have had presented to us a very 
valuable contribution on this important subject. I will now ask you 
to discuss this paper. 
