MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, UNITED STATES ARMY
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE IN WORLD WAR II
Volume IV
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Transmitted Chiefly Through
RESPIRATORY AND ALIMENTARY TRACTS
Prepared and published under the direction of
Major General S. B. HAYS
The Surgeon General, United States Army
Editor in Chief
Colonel JOHN BOYD COATES, Jr., MC
Editor for Preventive Medicine
EBBE CURTIS HOFF, Ph. D., M. D.
Assistant Editor
PHEBE M. HOFF, M. A.
OFFICE OF THE SURGEON GENERAL
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
WASHINGTON, D. C., 1958
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE IN WORLD WAR II
Advisory Editorial Board on the History of Preventive. Medicine
Brig. Gen. JAMES STEVENS SIMMONS, USA(Deceased), Chairman, 1948-54
Brig. Gen. STANHOPE BAYNE-JONES, USA(Retired), Chairman
JOHN E. GORDON, M. D. PAUL F. RUSSELL, M. D.
WILLIAM A. HARDENBERGH THOMAS B. TURNER, M. D.
ANTHONY J. LANZA, M. D. DOUGLASS W. WALKER, M. D.
ELLIOTT S. A. ROBINSON, M. D. Col. TOM F. WHAYNE, MC, USA (Ret.)
Colonel ARTHUR P. LONG, MC (ex officio)
EBBE CURTIS HOFF, Ph. D., M. D., Editorial Director (ex officio)
Colonel JOHN BOYD COATES, Jr., MC (ex officio)
The Historical Unit, United States Army Medical Service
Colonel JOHN BOYD COATES, Jr., MC, Director
Colonel OTHMAR F. GORIUP, MSC, Executive Officer
Lieutenant Colonel R. J. BERNUCCI, MC, Special Assistant to Director
Lieutenant Colonel R. L. PARKER, MSC, Special Assistant to Director
JOSEPHINE P. KYLE, Special Assistant to Director
Lieutenant Colonel C. A. PENDLYSHOK, MSC, Chief, Special Projects Branch
DONALD O. WAGNER, Ph. D., Chief, Historians Branch
WILLA B. DIAL, Chief, Editorial Branch
WILBOUR C. LOWN, Chief, Promotion Branch
LUCY W. LAZAROU, Chief, Research and Archives Branch
HAZEL G. HINE, Chief, Administrative Branch
Volume IV
COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
Transmitted Chiefly Through
RESPIRATORY AND ALIMENTARY TRACTS
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT, UNITED STATES ARMY
The volumes comprising the official history of the Medical Department of the United States Army in World War II are prepared by The Historical Unit, United States Army Medical Service, and published under the direction of The Surgeon General, United States Army. These volumes are divided into two series: (1) The administrative or operational series; and (2) the professional, or clinical and technical, series. This is one of the volumes published in the latter series.
VOLUMES PUBLISHED
ADMINISTRATIVE SERIES
Hospitalization and Evacuation, Zone of Interior
CLINICALSERIES
Preventive Medicine in World War II:
Vol. II. Environmental Hygiene
Vol. III. Personal Health Measures and Immunization
Surgery in World War II:
General Surgery, vol. II
Hand Surgery
Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology
Orthopedic Surgery in the European Theater of Operations Orthopedic Surgery in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations The Physiologic Effects of Wounds
Vascular Surgery
Miscellaneous:
Cold Injury, Ground Type
United States Army Dental Service in World War II
Contents
Part I
INTRODUCTION
Chapter
I General Considerations of Modes of Transmission
Communicable Disease in Military Practice
Disease as a Factor in Military Operations
The Specific Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
Internationally Quarantinable Diseases
Infectious and Parasitic Diseases of Essential Military Significance
Achievements and Challenges
Part II
DISEASES TRANSMITTED CHIEFLY THROUGH RESPIRATORY TRACT
Diseases Caused by Viruses
Historical Note
Control Measures
Incidence
III Common Respiratory Diseases
Reporting of Common Respiratory Diseases
Epidemiology
Incidence Among Recruits
Respiratory Infections Aboard Transports
Association With Other Diseases
Etiologic Studies
Prevention and Control
Epidemiology
Research With Influenza Virus
Historical Note
Reduction of the Military Problem in World War II
Incidence of Measles in World War II
Historical Note
Military Problem of Mumps
Research Developments
Experience During World War II
Epizootics
Historical Note
Control Measures
Incidence
Epidemiology
Influence on Past Wars
Military Experience
Civilian Experience
Diseases Caused by Bacteria
Experience in the Continental United States
Experience in European Theater of Operations
Experience in North Africa, the Middle East, and Italy
Experience in the Pacific
Experience in India-Burma Theater
Experience in Other Areas
Incidence Among Prisoners of War
Types of Virulent C. diphtheriae Encountered
Control Measures
Period Up To and Including World War I
Period Between World War I and World War II
Army Experience During World War II
Section I. Primary Atypical Pneumonia
Recognition of the Disease
Epidemiologic Aspects
Special Studies
Summary
Section II. Bacterial Pneumonia
Epidemiology
Prevention of the Disease
Conclusions
XIII Hemolytic Streptococcal Infections
The Military Problem
Statistical Information
Epidemiology
Diagnosis
Control of Streptococcal Infection
Summary
Tuberculosis in World War I
Tuberculosis Between the Two World Wars
Tuberculosis in World War II
Summary
Disease Caused by Fungus
Historical Note
Incidence of Coccidioidomycosis
Coccidioidomycosis in the Army Air Forces
Coccidioidomycosis in the Army Ground Forces
Coccidioidomycosis Among Prisoners of War
Services Provided by the Commission on Epidemiological Survey
Collaboration of Armed Forces Organizations With the Preventive Medicine Service
Control Measures
Research During World War II
Summary
Part III
DISEASES TRANSMITTED CHIEFLY THROUGH ALIMENTARY TRACT
XVII Diarrhea and Dysentery
Army Experience With Diarrheal Disorders Before World War II
Army Experience With Diarrheal Disorders During World War II
Diarrheal Disorders in Theaters of Operations and Other Oversea Areas
Food Poisoning
Historical Note
Typing and Classification
Control of Salmonellosis
Research
Epidemiologic Aspects of Salmonellosis
Relative Incidence of Salmonella Species
Laboratory Advances in Diagnosis of Salmonellosis
Evaluation of the Army`s Experience
XIX Staphylococcal and Streptococcal Food Poisoning and Botulism
Staphylococcal Food Poisoning
Streptococcal Food Poisoning
Botulism
Bacterial Infections
Wartime Incidence
Historical Note
Administrative Preventive Measures
Army Experience in Theaters and Areas
Summary
XXII Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fever
Historical Note
World War II Experience With Typhoid and Paratyphoid Fevers
Advances in Control During World War II
Parasitic Infections
Incidence
Amebiasis in Overseas Theaters and Areas
Prevention and Control
Research on Water Purification
Research on Sewage Treatment
Recommendations
XXIV Nematode and Cestode Infections
Nematode Infections
Cestode Infections
Introduction of Infections Into the United States
Summary
Illustrations
Figure
1. Culturing the environment of a ward
2. Board for the Investigation and Control of Influenza and Other Epidemic Diseases in the Army.
3. Use of matting and leaves to shield vaccine refrigerator
Tables
1. Admissions and deaths, by classification, U. S. Army, 1942-45
2. Deaths from disease and battle deaths in principal wars, foreign armies and U.S. Army, 1846-1945
3. Number and percentage of man-days lost, by classification of casualties, U. S., Army,1942-45.
4. Separation from service, by cause, enlisted men only, U. S. Army, 1942-45
5. Deaths, all causes, and deaths from infectious and parasitic diseases for 1900, 1925, and,1950
8. Admissions for all disease and incidence of infectious and parasitic diseases, 1942-45.
9. Deaths from all disease and from infectious and parasitic diseases, 1942-45
10. Cases and deaths due to certain infectious and parasitic diseases, 1942-45
10. Cases and deaths due to certain infectious and parasitic diseases, 1942-45- Continued
10. Cases and deaths due to certain infectious and parasitic diseases, 1942-45 - Continued
10. Cases and deaths due to certain infectious and parasitic diseases, 1942-45- Continued
11. Incidence and deaths from infectious and parasitic diseases, 1942-45
12. Incidence rates for infectious and parasitic diseases, 1942-45
13. Internationally quarantinable communicable diseases, U. S. Army, 1942-45
14. Incidence of chickenpox, 1940-45
16. Admission rates for common respiratory diseases and influenza, 1940-45
17. Admission rates for common respiratory diseases and influenza, 1942-45
18. Admission rates for common respiratory diseases in selected units
19. Incidence rates for influenza and common colds in the Army in the United States,1943-44
20. Incidence of influenza in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
21. Average antibody titers at intervals after vaccination
22. Summary of clinical evaluation of vaccination against influenza, 1943
23. Admissions for influenza in vaccinated Army units and unvaccinated units
25. Incidence of mumps in U. S. Army, 1942-45
26. Incidence of rubella in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
27. Incidence of diphtheria in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
28. Deaths due to diphtheria in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
29. Diphtheria in England and Wales, 1939-45
32.Incidence of diphtheria in civilian populations in North African countries, 1942-45
34. Admissions for primary atypical pneumonia in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
35. Admissions for other pneumonia in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
36. Incidence of pneumonia in immunized and nonimmunized groups
37. Interval between injection and the development of the several types of pneumonia
38. Distribution of individual types of Pneumococci
39. Incidence of rheumatic fever in the U. S. Army, 1943
41. Incidence of scarlet fever in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
42. Incidence of streptococcal sore throat in the U. S. Army, 1944-45
43. Admissions for rheumatic fever in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
44. Incidence rates of scarlet fever and rheumatic fever in continental United States, 1943-44
45. Incidence rates of scarlet fever and rheumatic fever in continental United States,1944
46. Incidence rates of scarlet fever and rheumatic fever, 1942-45
47. Incidence of whooping cough, U. S. Army, 1940-45
48. Incidence of coccidioidomycosis in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
49. Deaths from coccidioidomycosis in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
50. Distribution of primary coccidioidal infections at Minter, Gardner, and Lemoore, Fields
54. Incidence of diarrhea and dysentery in the U. S. Army, 1940-45 and total for the years1942-45
54. Incidence of diarrhea and dysentery in the U.S. Army, 1940-45 and total for the years 1942-45
57. Time lost in treatment of various types of diarrhea and dysentery in selected, years
58. Admissions for certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
58. Admissions for certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the U.S. Army, 1942-45
59. Incidence of bacillary dysentery in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
60. Incidence of amebic dysentery in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
61. Incidence of unclassified dysentery in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
62. Incidence rate of diarrhea and dysentery in the several theaters and areas, 1942-45
63. Deaths from dysentery in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
63. Deaths from dysentery in the U.S. Army, 1942-45
66. Dysentery organisms isolated at the 15th Medical General Laboratory during 1944
69. Summary of Shigella species
70. Degree of severity of bacillary dysentery at the 2/7th Australian General Hospital
71. Occurrence of paratyphoid A and paratyphoid B in World War I
72. Chronological list of salmonella outbreaks in World War II
72. Chronological list of salmonella outbreaks in World War II- Continued
73. Persistence of salmonellal infection as determined by positive fecal cultures
74. Salmonellosis outbreaks and isolations of Salmonella species and types in New Guinea, 1944-45
76. Incidence of brucellosis in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
77. Cholera cases and deaths among enlisted personnel in British and Indian Armies in India, 1940-46
78. Occurrence of typhoid and paratyphoid fevers in U. S. Army, 1900-41
79. Admissions for typhoid and paratyphoid carriers in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
80. Incidence of typhoid fever in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
81. Incidence of paratyphoid fever in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
84. Incidence of amebic dysentery in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
85. Admissions for amebic dysentery in the IT. S. Army, 1944-45
86. Admissions for amebic dysentery carriers in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
87. Incidence of amebic dysentery carrier state in the U. S. Army, 1944-45
89. Admissions for selected nematode and cestode infections in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
90. Admissions for selected nematode and cestode infections in the U. S. Army,1944
91. The calculated number of human helminthic infections
91. The calculated number of human helminthic infections- Continued
Charts
2. Admissions to hospitals and quarters for all diseases, ETOUSA, 1942-45
3. Average daily noneffective rates, ETOUSA, February 1942 to June 1945, inclusive
5. Deaths from infectious and parasitic diseases, 1900-50
6. Admission and death rates for infectious and parasitic diseases, in the U. S. Army, 1895-1954
7. Incidence rates for common respiratory diseases and influenza, 1942-45
8. Incidence rates for common respiratory diseases and influenza, 1942-45
9. Incidence rates for common respiratory diseases and influenza, 35th Infantry Division, 1941-44
10. Incidence rates for common respiratory diseases and influenza, 99th Infantry Division.,1942-45
11. Incidence rates for common respiratory diseases, 1941-45
12. Incidence rates for influenza among white enlisted men in the United States, 1920-40
19. Meningococcal meningitis in the Army and in the total U. S. population in selected periods
20. Meningococcal infections by duration of Army service
21. Seasonal incidence of scarlet fever in the Army in continental United States,1942-45
22. Seasonal incidence of rheumatic fever in the Army in continental United States, 1942-45
24. Incidence of tuberculosis among U. S. Army troops, January 1942 to June 1946, inclusive
25. Incidence of tuberculosis in the U. S. Army, 1942-45
26. Withdrawals from separation processing for pulmonary tuberculosis, July 1945 toAugust,1946
27. Incidence of diarrhea and dysentery in the Army in the continental United States,1930-42
28. Incidence of diarrhea and dysentery in the U. S. Army, 1940-45
30. Incidence of diarrhea and dysentery in U. S. Army troops in Europe, 1942-45
31. Intestinal infections in the U. S. Army in the United Kingdom, 1 January 1943 to 30 June 1944
32. Intestinal infections in the U. S. Army in continental Europe, 23 June 1944 to 29 June, 1945
33. Intestinal infections, in the European Theater of Operations, during selected periods
34. Intestinal infections, in Negro and white U. S. troops in Europe, 9 July 1943 to 29 June,1945
36. Diarrhea and dysentery in the U. S. Army in North Africa, November 1942 to July1944
37. Diarrhea and dysentery in the Fifth U. S. Army in Italy, 1944
38. Diarrhea and dysentery in the U. S. Army in the Middle East, July 1942 to July 1944
42. Incidence of diarrhea and dysentery in the U. S. Army in the total Pacific Ocean, Area, 1940-45
43. Diarrhea and dysentery in the U. S. Army in the South Pacific Area, October 1942 to June 1944
46. Incidence of diarrhea and dysentery in the U. S. Army in the total Latin American area, 1940-45
47. Incidence of diarrhea and dysentery in the U. S. Army in the North American area, 1941-45
48. Typhoid fever among prisoners of war in European theater, May and June 1945.
