disinfected at little cost and without injury-quite a contrast to former methods. MEASURES TO OBTAIN MATERIAL FOR PATHOLOGICAL INSTRUCTION. In view of the fact that considerable difficulty has arisen from time to time in providing sufficient pathological material for instruction and study, it became necessary to draw upon the marine hospitals for this material, and accordingly, upon my representation to the Bureau of the necessity, the following circular was issued: [Circular.] JUNE 28, 1898. Medical Officer in Command, United States Marine-Hospital Service: In addition to Bureau circular of June 30, 1896, requiring post-mortem examinations to be made in all cases possible, etc., you are further directed to send to the Hygienic Laboratory, Washington, D. C., specimens from the several organs and pathological processes of each case upon which a post-mortem examination has been made. The specimens should not be larger than 2 to 3 centimeters square, and should be prepared after the following methods: Two sets of specimens should be prepared, one set to be placed in 50 per cent alcohol for two weeks, and then placed over in 95 per cent alcohol for a week or ten days. The other to be placed in Müller's fluid (bichromate of potash, 1 part; sodium sulphate, 2 parts; water, 100 parts) for three days, and then changed to fresh fluid and allowed to remain a week. The specimens should then be washed for several hours and then placed in 95 per cent alcohol for a week or more. The specimens are best labeled by wrapping each in paper, using a lead pencil for labeling. In preparing the specimens for the laboratory a special mailing case will be sent you. After the specimens are placed in the glass jar a quantity of absorbent cotton should be placed around the specimens sufficient to maintain them in place, after which a small quantity of 95 per cent alcohol should be poured over the cottonjust sufficient to keep them moist. A label should be affixed to the jar containing the specimens, giving the name of hospital, name of patient, permit number, and date of death. You will acknowledge receipt of this circular. WALTER WYMAN, Supervising Surgeon-General, M. H. S. It is anticipated that within a short time the laboratory will be amply supplied. It is proposed that these pathological specimens be examined, classified, and catalogued as soon as received, and in this way to gradually build up different series of pathological specimens in which can be shown the severe disease processes. MICROSCOPICAL AND CHEMICAL EXAMINATIONS. Microscopical examinations have been made of nine specimens, as well as employing the Widal test eighteen times for suspected typhoid fever. Independently of the above, chemical and bacteriological examinations have been made by direction for the purveying division, as well as for the Treasury Department and for boards of health. PROSPECTUS OF LABORATORY WORK DURING 1899. With your approval the following investigations will be instituted during the ensuing year: 1. A study of the bacillus tuberculosis and the allied species, for the purpose of determining the relations they bear one to another. 2. The investigation into the cause, nature, and treatment of the fevers incident to the southern part of the United States. Coincident with the studies on tuberculosis, I would recommend that the study of leprosy in the United States be also included. RECOMMENDATIONS. My previous recommendations regarding the removal of the laboratory from the Bureau building and providing suitable buildings properly located and equippedfor scientific research are again respectfully urged. On account of the great increase of the work now devolving upon the laboratory I would recommend (1) that an additional officer be assigned for duty; (2) that the working force should increased by an additional attendant; (3) that a clerk who is proficient in stenography, typewriting, and translating French, German, and Italian should be also assigned. Respectfully submitted. J. J. KINYOUN, Passed Assistant Surgeon SURGEON-GENERAL MARINE-HOSPITAL SERVICE. REPORT ON BEST METHOD OF DISINFECTING MAIL MATTER. HYGIENIC LABORATORY, UNITED STATES MARINE-HOSPITAL SERVICE, Washington, D, C., March 3, 1898. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge your reference of March 1, 1898, requesting a report on the best methods of disinfecting the mails, and in accordance therewith would state that the most convenient and practicable method for disinfecting letter mail is with formaldehyde gas, applied in one of the following ways: First. By placing the letters in a closed receptacle, such as a wooden box provided with a tight-fitting lid, and sprinkle over the letters formalin or formol, which are commercial articles of a 40 per cent solution of formaldehyde. The receptacle should then remain closed for three or four hours, it depending upon the amount of mail matter to be disinfected; the greater the quantity the longer should be the exposure. Second. By using a mixture of formalin or formol and sawdust-one part of the former to two parts of the latter. The sawdust can then be used in the same man ner as the formaldehyde. The exposure, however, should be somewhat longer, say, six hours. Third. By the generating of formaldehyde gas from wood alcohol by means of special lamps. The lamps employed for this purpose should be capable of transforming not less than 1 liter of wood alcohol per hour. The disinfection of letters, etc., by this method is more applicable to large quantities where the exposure can be made in a room, using not less than 600 grams (750 cubic centimeters: 1 pints) for each 1,000 cubic feet of space, the time of exposure to be not less than twelve hours. Fourth. By the evolution of formaldehyde gas from formalin or formol in combination with some neutral salt, such as chloride of calcium or nitrate of soda; this mixture to be used in an autoclave. The disinfection accomplished in this manner is very effective, but is applicable only for disinfecting large quantities of mail. Fifth. By the application of formaldehyde gas by means of a closed cylinder provided with a vacuum apparatus and special apparatus for generating and applying the gas. The gas should be applied in a dry state in not less than 20 per cent per volume strength, and the time of exposure not less than two hours. It is understood that in any of the above methods letters, etc., must not be put up in packages, but should be placed loosely in the receptacles or rooms in such a manner as to allow a free access of the gas to all the surfaces. Newspapers and packages tightly wrapped should be opened before disinfecting. Individual letters being sent from places where contagious or infectious disease exists can be thoroughly disinfected in the following simple manner: By taking a small piece of blotting paper or some similar absorbent substance, dipping it into a solution of 40 per cent formaldehyde, and placing this in the envelope with the letter. This method has been in practice for some time by the officers of the Marine-Hospital Service in their work in smallpox. Respectfully, yours, J. J. KINYOUN, Passed Assistant Surgeon, M. H. S., Director. SURGEON-GENERAL MARINE-HOSPITAL SERVICE, ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. In closing this report, which is made at the close of a season notable by reason of the great apprehension which was felt at its beginning lest epidemic disaster should fall upon the country as a result of military and naval operations against Cuba, and notable, too, in the fact that no such results followed, I deem it proper to invite attention to the grave responsibilities and unusual exertions, continued throughout the summer and fall, which were imposed upon the Marine-Hospital Service. I desire to call attention to the spirited and self-sacrificing devotion with which the officers of the Service performed their arduous labors. This was evidenced in the field, where a number of officers were ordered in connection with the yellow fever outbreak, many of whom were not immune, and three of whom contracted the disease; at southern ports of entry, where extreme vigilance and most careful judgment was required in assisting to prevent the introduction of fever, to discover it promptly if introduced, and to deny false rumors of its presence, thus preventing unnecessary panic; at the national quarantine stations, where the labor was unusual; and, finally, in this city, where the telegraphic and other reports received requiring immediate action made necessary the closest attention at night as well as during the day on the part of the officers detailed for duty in the Bureau. Acknowledgment is also due to the clerical force of the Bureau for its efficient and cheerful service. I have the honor to remain, respectfully, yours, WALTER WYMAN, Supervising Surgeon-General Marine-Hospital Service. 828 INDEX. A. Acknowledgment of aid rendered the Coast Signal Service... Act of Congress for the relief of the legal representatives of John W. Bran- governing appointments extract of, providing sleeping room for crews plying the Acting assistant surgeons, circular letter relating to leaves of absence of... assistant surgeons pay of medical officers, and grade, promotion, and concerning uniforms inquiring concerning experience with smallpox ... requiring pathological specimens to be sent to hygi- 71 Admiralty decisions, report of, in cases of two seamen of the steamboat Anna Aid to other branches of the Government service Army and Navy...... Immigration Service. 41.42 33 53, 37 38 693 Alger, Hon. R. A., letter requesting detail of Marine-Hospital Service officers Amaurosis, toxic, a case of (by Asst. Surg. J. B. Greene) Anthrax edema, a case of (by P. A. Surg. W. P. McIntosh) .... letter regarding lisinfection of vessels bound for from 672 263 718-720 636-637 233-235 720 720 720 letter concerning sanitation of foreign vessels arriving |