THE DISTRIBUTION OF INFLUENZA BY DIRECT CONTACT-HANDS AND EATING UTENSILS.

TplHUE object of this paper is to present ~ the results of an investigation of the incidence of influenza, which results show that the major route of transmission of this infection is by indyl rect contact. The investigation covered troops stationed at the Port of Embarkation, Newport News, Va.-reported October 19, 1918* also those at Langley Field, Fortress Monroe, Lee Hall Balloon School, and Camp Lee-a total of over 66,000 troops. There are two distinct methods of messing troops, and this factor was taken advantage of in making a study of transmission by indirect contact. So the troops are divided into two groups according to their respective method of messing: the one group eating from tableware or mess kit equipment, which is washed in boiling water, and the other group eating from mess kits which are washed by the old line method. The old line method consists in each soldier washing his own mess'equipment in water used by other members of the organization. This dishwater common to approximately 200 men was inadequate in amount, never at the boiling point, but usually having a temperature between 400 C. and 50° C. When the common dishwater used by troops is not kept at or near the boiling point, its bacterial content rapidly increases with the washing of each successive mess equipment. In addition to the organisms transferred from the mouth