THE TRANSMISSION OF GERMS IN MAILS

The postal authorities have sent out a warning to local postmasters in regard to the reception of improperly packed parcels containing dangerous substances, such as disease germs. It is worth while for all who may have occasion to submit diseased tissues or culture specimens for laboratory examination to note that liquid cultures, or cultures of micro-organisms in media that are fluid at the ordinary temperature, may not be sent through the United States mails at all; that solid specimens of diseased tissues, whether moist or dry, may be mailed only to United States, state or municipal laboratories; and that such specimens are admitted to the mails only when packed and indorsed as provided in the regulations of the Postoffice Department.¹ If the postoffice instructions are carefully observed there can be little danger of infection of postoffice employés from this source. It might be desirable to exclude the germs of