TYPHOID FEVER ITS NATURE, MODE OF SPREADING, AND PREVENTION

Abstract

Typhoid Fever. Its Nature, Mode of Spreading, and Prevention-By William Budd. New York: American Public Health Association, 1931. 200 pp. Price, De luxe ed., $10.00; Reg. ed., $5.00. To attempt a critical review of a medical classic such as that before us would be a work of supererogation and smack of impudence. It is sufficient to call attention to the fact that Budd was the first to recognize clearly the contagiou3ness of typhoid fever, the danger of polluted sewage and defective sewerage. This book was written some 8 years before the discovery of the germ of typhoid fever and 10 years before its isolation on solid culture media. The author was the first to point out the danger of disposing of typhoid fever discharges in such a manner that they could reach drinking water, and characterized it as criminal. One sentence, with which he closes his summary, is of itself enough to make him immortal: And he that was never yet connected with his poorer neighbour, by deeds of charity or love, may one day find, when it is too late, that he is connected with him by a bond which may bring them both, at once, to a common grave. Though he wrote this with particular reference to typhoid fever, it is applicable to all contagious diseases. We wish that this could be memorized by all medical students and social workers. The present volume is published by the American Public Health Association for Delta Omega as the first of a series of reprints of public health classics. The text follows the original publication of 1874, with the exception of three errata noted by the publisher of the original edition. There have been printed from type by the George Grady Press, New York, eight hundred copies of this book, the first thirty-five of which have been printed on hand made paper, numbered and bound in Persian Leather. It is hard to speak too .highly of this work, beautifully and interestingly written, and containing a wealth of facts gained by an epidemiological study which might well serve as a model to modern day workers. It deserves a place in all medical libraries. The original illustrations, one of them in colors, have been reproduced. The printing and make-up are exceptionally good, as befits the character of the text. MAZYCK P. RAVENEL