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To the many physicians throughout the country who followed with intense interest the poliomyelitis epidemic of 1916, this Monograph from the Department of Health of New York City cannot fail to be welcome. The size of the report—some 400 pages—would at first glance suggest redundancy, but one fails, in reading through it, to find anything which is not of interest and importance. Although compiled primarily from the standpoint of public health, all phases of the subject are well discussed from the purely scientific side as well, the attitude throughout being critical and conservative.
The first section, which is entitled "Historical," tells the story of the outbreak of the disease. The realization of the unusual severity of the epidemic, and the consequent emergency organization to study and control the disease, are related in detail. The arrangements for quarantine, publicity, and hospital care, the enrolment of special physicians and visiting nurses, the