Prevention of Military Epidemics of Cerebro-Spinal Fever.

The author draws the following conclusions from carefully con ducted observations in dealing with the control of epidemic strains of meningococcus in variously housed detachments of the British Army.A high meningococcus carrier-rate in a military unit denotes dangerous overcrowding.The distance |between beds is of para mount importance.Severe overcrowding, i. e., when beds are less than a foot apart, is usually accompanied by a carrier-rate of at least 20 0/0.This is the danger line indicated in the War Office Memorandum on Cerebro-Spinal Fever, March, 1'917.Carrier-rates of between ten and twenty per cent, are unsatisfac tory and imply overcrowding.They must be watched with sus picion, and the mobilization standard must be strictly enforced.A carrier-rate of this height will usually imply that the mobiliza tion standard of forty square feet per man has been infringed, and also that beds are less than a foot apart.A carrier-rate of twenty per cent, should be a signal for prompt action to abolish overcrowding, to improve ventilation, and to