'Ware Sleeping Sickness

An outbreak of sleeping sickness (encephalitis lethargica), not to be dignified as " epidemic," is engaging the attention of New York health authorities. Since January 1 over 112 deaths from the disease have been reported in Greater New York, the rate having intensified within the past week. This malady should not be confused with African sleeping sickness, which is transmitted by the bite of the tsetse fly, but is a frequent accompaniment of influenza and other winter diseases. Dr. Frank J. Monaghan, who has just succeeded Senator Copeland as New York's health commissioner, believes that the germ or other cause of the disease can be found, and has put his laboratory men on its trail. Doctors reporting cases are filling out questionnaires for an intensive study. "' The best ways to avoid it," says the Commissioner, " are to keep away from influenza patients and observe the commonsense laws of health."