Milton, Ky., Oct. 28, 1903.
To the Editor:
—Your endorsement of the Smallpox Research Laboratory in Cleveland (The Journal, Oct. 24, 1903, p. 1029) is commendable and justified. Would it not be better to have a national laboratory, under the auspices of a department of health, for studies on the etiology and pathology of all contagious and infectious diseases? Does not this work in Cleveland and Boston emphasize the need of the strong arm of the government to prosecute this important work?[Researches are now being carried on in the Hygienic Laboratory of the Public Health and Marine-Hospital Service on the etiology and pathology of smallpox and of other diseases. A building, thoroughly equipped, has recently been completed, and is now being used for the purpose. The Army Medical Department is also doing good work of this kind in connection with the Army Medical School. The lamented Walter Reed, at