The first step taken in the University to investigate the outbreak of typhus in Servia was the sending of Dr. Strong from the Harvard-Technology School for Health Officers a few weeks ago. Upon his arrival, Dr. Strong cabled over for a force of twenty-five sanitary inspectors and physicians from the School to aid in fighting the disease.

With this summons came news of the true and terrible conditions in Servia. The country is in chaos on account of the plague; the people, believing that they are pursued by evil spirits, run panicstricken about the country, scattering the disease, and dying in fields and roads. A serum has been discovered, but it has not yet been given a complete trial.

The expedition from Harvard and Technology has been organized, and will sail from New York next Saturday. It is estimated authoritatively that the members have one chance in three to come back alive. The men who have volunteered have not done so in any spirit of bravado or adventure, but with a full realization of what they will have to face. Another force of a hundred and fifty will be organized, and those who volunteer for it should remember exactly what dangers they are running, and what conditions they will meet.

The expedition which sails next Saturday stands for the highest type of heroism. Its members are ready to give their lives, if necessary, to help humanity. They are going to aid a people of whom they know nothing. At the same time they are serving their own country, for if the disease ever spreads to America, its ravages would undoubtedly be terrible. The names of those who are setting out on this mission will not soon be forgotten by their University.